President Ray Mali affirms independence of ICC processes by ICC Media Release

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Player:	SA Bucknor, Harbhajan Singh
Event:	India in Australia 2007/08

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DateLine: 9th January 2008

 

Practical decision was made in best interests of cricket

 

The ICC President Ray Mali today affirmed the independence of the ICC’s match official appointments and Code of Conduct processes.

 

He also explained the decision to replace Steve Bucknor as umpire for the third Test between Australia and India in Perth on the grounds that it was a practical solution that has helped to avoid a possible diplomatic incident.

 

“We recognised from the outset that the umpiring in the second Test was below the very high standard we have come to expect from our Elite Panel and we noted with concern the enormous reaction to it and realised that we could potentially have a serious international diplomatic incident on our hands,” said Mr Mali.

 

“By standing Steve down for the third Test we have successfully defused the situation, at least for the time being, and so what was a sporting issue has not become a political crisis.

 

“We could easily have taken an inflexible stance and gone toe-to-toe with those who were calling for Steve’s withdrawal but instead we chose to adopt a more diplomatic and reasonable approach. And on balance it was the right thing to do, for the game and for the series.

 

“It is important to point out that no team has the right the object to any umpire appointment and this decision was taken entirely by the ICC for the best interests of cricket.

 

“The series now has a fresh start and the umpires who stand in the third and fourth Tests can do their jobs without undue attention on them and the world will be able to focus on the thrilling batting, bowling and fielding of these two great cricket sides.

 

“It is also worth reminding people that the decision to replace Steve for this match had nothing to do with the Harbhajan Singh Code of Conduct hearing. That process is ongoing and will run its full course.

 

“As is his right, Harbhajan has appealed the guilty finding of the hearing. The appeals process has been part of the ICC Code of Conduct for seven years so there is nothing new or unusual about this.

 

“We have appointed the eminent New Zealand High Court Judge, Justice John Hansen, to hear the appeal and the entire process will be carried out in an open and transparent way. No one will be able to complain that it was not a fair and impartial process.

 

“On every previous occasion over the years that we have had an appeal to a Code of Conduct hearing, all parties have accepted the finding of the independent arbiter. I expect all parties to respect the process on this occasion too.

 

“Over the past few days there have been too many emotive comments from too many people and it’s now time for the focus to return to the cricket.”