Harbhajan Singh found guilty of offence under ICC’s Code of Conduct by CricketArchive

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Scorecard:	Australia v India
Player:	Harbhajan Singh
Event:	India in Australia 2007/08

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DateLine: 7th January 2008

 

India spinner banned for three Tests after making “monkey” remark to an Australia player

 

India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Tests after being found guilty under Level 3 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct following an incident that took place during the second Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

 

The charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after the close of play on day three of the match following a complaint they received from the Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

 

The complaint was made by Ponting after the 116th over of India’s first innings, prior to which Harbhajan was alleged to have made a “monkey” comment directed at Australia player Andrew Symonds.

 

Following a four-hour hearing held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday evening, ICC match referee Mike Procter delivered his judgment to the players involved. He found the case against Harbhajan proved and informed him that he was imposing a ban of three Tests.

 

The incident occurred when Harbhajan was batting with Sachin Tendulkar during India’s first innings on Saturday. It was alleged that Harbhajan had an argument with Symonds, during which time he used the word “monkey” directed at Symonds.

 

“I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh directed that word at Andrew Symonds and also that he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds’ race or ethnic origin,” said Mr Procter.

 

The offence falls under 3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct which refers to players or team officials “using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin”.

 

Present at the hearing were: Chetan Chauhan, India team manager; Dr MV Sridhar, India assistant manager; Anil Kumble, India captain; Harbhajan Singh, India player; Sachin Tendulkar, India player; umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson, who laid the charges; Australia players Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden; Steve Bernard, Australia team manager; Nigel Peters QC, who assisted in legal and procedural matters.

 

In all pre-series meetings, the ICC match referees are instructed to advise captains that they are to report any instance of racism – whether on or off the field – to the umpires as soon as possible after its occurrence.

 

In accordance to the Code of Conduct the maximum penalty that could have been imposed for this offence was a ban of four Test matches or eight One-Day Internationals.

 

The penalty imposed on Harbhajan applies with immediate effect. Players found guilty of a Level 2, 3 or 4 offence have a right of appeal. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC’s legal counsel within 24 hours of the player receiving the original verdict.

 

If an appeal is lodged then the player may continue to play until the verdict of that appeal is given.

 

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials can be found at: http://in.yimg.com/icccricket/pdfs/code-of-conduct-for-players-and-officials.pdf