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'Oz media demeaning Appeals Commissioner's office'

Agencies

Posted online: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1725 hrs IST

Mumbai, January 30:
The BCCI on Wednesday described the Australian media's attack on the 'reprieve' to Harbhajan Singh in the racial abuse case as "demeaning and insulting" to the office of the appeals commissioner while insisting that it was a "fair trial".

"As far as BCCI is concerned we went according to the ruling of the ICC. The ICC had appointed Appeals Commissioner Justice John Hansen who is a respected High Court judge in New Zealand. So to find fault and criticise his decision is demeaning and insulting to the office of the Appeals Commissioner," BCCI Chief Administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

The Australian media called it a 'Cricket's day of Shame' and reported that Cricket Australia caved in to India's muscle flexing as it was anxious to save the tri-series.

Reports also claimed the Australian players were "frustrated" and dismayed after Harbhajan got away with a fine.

"If India wanted to use its money power there would have been other ways to follow instead of following the procedure set up by the ICC," Shetty said.

"Judge's decision was based on the fact that there was no video or audio recording of the offensive words supposed to have been uttered by Harbhajan. Mike Procter's finding that Sachin Tendulkar could not have heard Harbhajan was also disapproved," he said.

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'Oz media demeaning Appeals Commissioner's office' Agencies Posted online: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1725 hrs IST Mumbai, January 30: The BCCI on Wednesday described the Australian media's attack on the 'reprieve' to Harbhajan Singh in the racial abuse case as "demeaning and insulting" to the office of the appeals commissioner while insisting that it was a "fair trial". "As far as BCCI is concerned we went according to the ruling of the ICC. The ICC had appointed Appeals Commissioner Justice John Hansen who is a respected High Court judge in New Zealand. So to find fault and criticise his decision is demeaning and insulting to the office of the Appeals Commissioner," BCCI Chief Administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said. The Australian media called it a 'Cricket's day of Shame' and reported that Cricket Australia caved in to India's muscle flexing as it was anxious to save the tri-series. Reports also claimed the Australian players were "frustrated" and dismayed after Harbhajan got away with a fine. "If India wanted to use its money power there would have been other ways to follow instead of following the procedure set up by the ICC," Shetty said. "Judge's decision was based on the fact that there was no video or audio recording of the offensive words supposed to have been uttered by Harbhajan. Mike Procter's finding that Sachin Tendulkar could not have heard Harbhajan was also disapproved," he said.