Harbhajan Singh has been reported for racially taunting Symonds on the third day of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Indian off-spinner is said to be charged with Level 3.3 offence that cites “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 ethnic origin.”

Singh faces a ban of two-to-four Test matches or four-to-eight ODIs if proved guilty. It’s still unclear if the Australian team management have reported the issue or the matter has been brought to notice by the two on-field umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson.

Singh can still go for an appeal in case the charges are proved and he’s awarded a ban. Apparently, it was Symonds who started the conversation as Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh were in the middle of a record eighth-wicket partnership. It turned into a heated argument with Singh signalling Symonds with his hand, asking him to come up to him and have a talk. He had a little conversation as Symonds went past him. Skipper Ricky Ponting walked upto him and had a few words that cooled matters.

Umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson took note of it, and called Singh over. Interestingly, Benson put a hand over his mouth when he spoke to Singh, preventing any possible attempts to lip-read him.

Tendulkar, who was in the middle with Singh then, played down the incident. “There were just a couple of lines exchanged between the two here and there. It keeps happening. It was about getting friendly. Harbhajan told Symonds that you seem to be getting very friendly with our bowlers, I am also a bowler. Why aren’t you trying to be friendly with me?” he said.

Singh will attend a hearing with match referee Mike Procter tomorrow evening.