indianexpress.com :: Procter defends Harbhajan ban, says 'it’s fair'

Procter defends Harbhajan ban, says 'it’s fair'

Agencies

Posted online: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 0000 hrs IST

Melbourne, January 8:
Mike Procter, the International Cricket Council referee, defended as "fair" his decision to ban Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse of Andrew Symonds saying, as a "South African" he understood the word 'racism'."

Procter also refuted suggestions that India's expected appeal of the Harbhajan suspension - and subsequent threats to abandon the series if it is upheld - was tantamount to a gun to the head of the ICC.

He also labelled the past day "one of the most difficult of my life" and vowed to continue officiating the remaining two Tests in the India-Australia cricket series.

"I am South African, and I understand the word 'racism'," Procter, who played during the apartheid era, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I have lived with it for much of my life. 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. I have always had a good rapport with Indian players.

"People are entitled to appeals. The hearing was not heated at all. It was very sound, and it took a lot of time."

"Obviously this has all been very difficult for me. I didn't get to sleep until 11 am, and then only for a couple of hours. It has been one of the most difficult days of my life."

Procter was uncertain of when the Harbhajan appeal would be held, but said a hearing into Brad Hogg's behaviour - levelled by the Indians, apparently in retaliation for Australia's complaint against Harbhajan - would be held in Perth on January 13 or 14.

"The appeal (Harbhajan) date is out of my hands now," Procter said.

Hogg stands accused of hurling abuse at Indian captain Anil Kumble during the Sydney Test.

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Procter defends Harbhajan ban, says 'it’s fair' Agencies Posted online: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 0000 hrs IST Melbourne, January 8: Mike Procter, the International Cricket Council referee, defended as "fair" his decision to ban Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse of Andrew Symonds saying, as a "South African" he understood the word 'racism'." Procter also refuted suggestions that India's expected appeal of the Harbhajan suspension - and subsequent threats to abandon the series if it is upheld - was tantamount to a gun to the head of the ICC. He also labelled the past day "one of the most difficult of my life" and vowed to continue officiating the remaining two Tests in the India-Australia cricket series. "I am South African, and I understand the word 'racism'," Procter, who played during the apartheid era, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I have lived with it for much of my life. 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. I have always had a good rapport with Indian players. "People are entitled to appeals. The hearing was not heated at all. It was very sound, and it took a lot of time." "Obviously this has all been very difficult for me. I didn't get to sleep until 11 am, and then only for a couple of hours. It has been one of the most difficult days of my life." Procter was uncertain of when the Harbhajan appeal would be held, but said a hearing into Brad Hogg's behaviour - levelled by the Indians, apparently in retaliation for Australia's complaint against Harbhajan - would be held in Perth on January 13 or 14. "The appeal (Harbhajan) date is out of my hands now," Procter said. Hogg stands accused of hurling abuse at Indian captain Anil Kumble during the Sydney Test.