Expressindia> Sports
Group Websites
Expressindia
Indian Express
Financial Express
Screen
Loksatta
Channels
Blogs
Astrology
Shopping
Hotels
Tenders
Classifieds
ExpressQnA


MOST READ

Ads by Google



Font Size - -A +A

Racial abuse charges against Bhajji dropped

Agencies

Posted online: Tuesday , January 29, 2008 at 1144 hrs IST
      

Adelaide, January 29:: India's firm stand paid off on Tuesday when racism charges against off-spinner Harbhajan Singh were dropped by a Judge and he was held guilty of a much lighter offence of using offensive language for which he was fined, escaping a three-Test ban that had been imposed on him earlier.

The ICC-appointed Appeals Commissioner Justin John Hansen heard for nearly five hours Harbhajan's appeal against the three-Test ban imposed on him by Match Referee Mike Procter during the Sydney Test earlier this month, when he was accused of allegedly calling Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds 'a monkey', and imposed on the off-spinner a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee ending the controversy that had threatened to split the cricket world.

The New Zealand High Court Judge's task was made easier by behind-the-scene efforts by the Australian cricket board and the BCCI to find a compromise in the shape of downgrading the charge against Harbhajan from racial abuse (section 3.3 of ICC Code of Conduct) to that of using language which is offensive and of seriously insulting nature (section 2.8).

This compromise was reportedly presented to Hansen at the hearing.

A delighted BCCI, which had raised the stakes by announcing on Monday that the Indian team would be called back home if the racial charge was not withdrawn, promptly welcomed the Commissioner's verdict and declared that the rest of the Australia tour would go ahead.

Ads by Google
Rate this article
 
Post Comment :
Name * Message *
Email ID *
Subject *
TERMS OF USE:
The views represented here are not neccesarily endorsed by www.expressindia.com and its allied websites. All messages will be moderated and no message that has inflammatory, abusive, derogatory language or any language deemed unfit for publication by the editor will be displayed. Though it will be endeavoured that as many messages as possible be displayed, there will be time lag between the submission and publication of the messages. The website reserves the right to publish or reject any message.
I agree to the terms of use.
  • Comments
    Hide Comments
KANGAROOS ARE THE BY PRODUCTS OF BRITISH CRIMINALS
by rajababu on 2008-01-29 16:36:09.551459+05:30
KANGAROOS CALLING INDIANS RACIST?? WHO HAVE OCCUPIED ABORIGINE LAND? WHO HAVE KEPT THEM BACKWARD IN THE 21ST CENTURY DONT BELIEVE WHAT THESE KANGAROOS SAY, THEY ARE THE BY PRODUCTS OF BRITISH HARDCORE / RACIST CRIMINALS
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
SAY NO TO WHITE DOMINENENCE IN ICC
by rajababu on 2008-01-29 16:32:06.911424+05:30
WELL DONE INDIA/BCCI THAT IS THE WAY TO ACT, WHEN YOU ARE A CRICKETING SUPER POWER , NOW LET US BRING THE WHITE SUPREMACY IN THE ICC DOWN, THEN EXPEL ALL THOSE UMPIRES WHO LIKE TO LICK THE BOOTS OF WHITE MASTERS, THESE WHITE BOOT LICKERS INCLUDE BUCKNORE AND AND ALIM DAAR
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
BCCI's pulling power, comes intop sharp focus.
by DILIP /FRANCE on 2008-01-29 15:58:19.754558+05:30
Moralists have only grasped the wrong end of the stick whereas reactionaries have only grasped half of the stick.There is no conclusive evidence to prove exclusively that Harbajan had actually racially abused Symonds, period.Cut out all the innuendos,insinuations and haughty taughty finger pointing. At the heat of the moment things are said sub consciously, with no malice of intent and intent is the leagl operative word.It must be noted that the charges were downgraded from level3.3 to level 2.8, which speaks volumes. This was a copt out, to suit both the parties, to save their faces, at the world stage, using Harbajsn as the sacrificial lamb.The fact is it was Mike Proctor and his cabal had cocked it up big time, by grave error of judgement and blatant biasness.However what has come throughlike a pot of gold,again and again is the puliig power of BCCI, at its whim or fancy it can bend ICC, any way it wants, because it has the Financial muscle and that is what matters the most.I am afraid as India become more economically strong,BCCI, will call the tune orre and more in the future.Money power will walk the talk.The White Cricket World is doomed.
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Bhajji and ICC
by Sudhir Pande on 2008-01-29 15:17:28.569964+05:30
I think this is a bad bargain and Sachin should not have been a signatory to it. Assuie captain, Symonds and Mike Proctor owe an unqualified apology to Bhajji for maliciously maligning him with a racist paint. He can be vindicated only if he is honourably acquitted. Abuses and sledging are commonplace with Aussuies. Has any one been charged with level 2 offence and fined 50% of fees ? It is all racism with white supremacy.Incidentally, is calling someone " monkey" a racist slur. In india many parents call there young ones a bunder out of affection for their antics. If bastard is an acceptable usage, connotation as monkey is certainly much less injurious. But probably Kumble knew better and withdrew the complaint.As an Indian I feel humiliated with the " deal".
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Harbhajan
by Merv Hyde on 2008-01-29 14:23:34.941011+05:30
This is a victory for many things but not the truth. If Harbhajan had played better with the ball (he averaged over 60 in the test matches, about the same as Brad Hogg) and less with his mouth, then India might have done better. He is only a third rate bowler by world standards but a first rate problem on the field. India played very well, but were convincingly beaten in the series and would have been better served by a more focussed Harbhajan or another bowler.
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
BLACKMAIL
by MARK on 2008-01-29 14:43:47.020351+05:30
VICTORY FOR BLACKMAILFULLY AGREED
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Shaadi Matrimonials Get Marriage Proposals by Email EVERYDAY!
Register FREE on Naukri.com. 200000+ Hot Job Openings!
Book International flights & get 10000 Money Back
Flowers & Gifts
Send flowers & Gifts
Express Classifieds Post and view free classifieds ad
Find Love, Romance & friends
Featured Ads
© 2008 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map