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Harbhajan Singh banned for three Tests

— PHOTO: AFP

Harbhajan Singh.

DUBAI: Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Tests after being found guilty of racial abuse during the stormy second Test against Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Sunday.

Harbhajan was found guilty under Level 3 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct following a clash with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds on the third day of the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after Australia captain Ricky Ponting had accused Harbhajan of making a ‘monkey’ comment at Symonds, the only black player in the home team.

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

The contentious 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, said an ICC statement.

“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 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”.

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.

Harbhajan will miss the final two matches with the third Test beginning in Perth from January 16-20.

Ban denounced

The three-Test ban on Harbhajan evoked a strong reaction from the BCCI and former cricketers, who described it as totally “unjustified and unfair” but advised against the Indian team abandoning the remaining matches in Australia. — Agencies

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