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Match ref stands by Singh ban

07/01/2008

Match referee Mike Procter has insisted that the three-match ban handed to India's Harbhajan Singh was a fair punishment.

The ICC's decision to take tough action after finding the off-spinner guilty of racially abusing opposing batsman Andrew Symonds has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India to halt their tour of Australia.

But Procter is happy with a decision that has provoked uproar on the subcontinent.

"I am South African, and I understand the word racism. I have lived with it for much of my life," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"This was not a case of just taking the word of an Australian over an Indian. I stand by my decision. I believe the process was a fair one. I intend to carry on for the rest of the series, because I don't have a problem with India."

Symonds, who endured racist abuse from Indian crowds during Australia's tour of the country at the end of last year, was alleged referred to as "a monkey" by Singh.

The BCCI have filed an appeal against Singh's ban and sought the removal of umpire Steve Bucknor from any more matches on the trip.

It is thought that the Indian squad have put pressure on their board to make a stand in the hope of overturning the ban in time for the next Test in Perth.

India are currently 2-0 down in the four-test series after a controversial defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground at the weekend.