ICC appoints Hansen to hear Harbhajan appeal

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Reuters

Posted online: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 12:00:00

New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen has been appointed as commissioner to hear India spinner Harbhajan Singh's code of conduct appeal, ICC said on Wednesday.

Off-spinner Harbhajan was handed a three-Test ban for allegedly racially abusing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second test in Sydney that ended in an acrimonious defeat for the touring Indians.

BCCI appealed against match referee Mike Procter's decision after Harbhajan pleaded not guilty to the charge and initially suspended their tour of Australia.

Harbhajan has been allowed to continue playing pending the verdict of the appeal.

"No time, date or venue for the appeal have yet been fixed," the ICC said in a statement.

"The process indicates that the appeal should be heard within seven days of the commissioner being appointed. However, this time period may be extended if circumstances dictate."

BCCI announced after an emergency meeting on Tuesday they will resume the tour but would continue to protest against the charge against Harbhajan.

Their decision came after the ICC sacked umpire Steve Bucknor from next week's third test follow widespread criticism of his performance in Sydney.

"Under the provisions of the ICC code of conduct, Justice Hansen has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding," the ICC said in a statement said.

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Comments - 3

Match fixing by Hemant on 10 Jan 2008

It should be looked into and investigated if Steve Bucknor was paid by the Australians to give 3 bad decisions for them (to divert suspicion against them) and 8 bad decisions (really crucial ones too) for India. I don't trust the Australians not after what they did to Bhajji. And I think Symond does look like a monkey. If it humiliates a monkey to be compared to Symonds.. oh well! shit happens.

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Fixing of umpires by Australian team. by k.m.agarwal on 09 Jan 2008

Icc appointed advocate to assist match refree in the case against HarBhaj;an singh for racial remarkas immediately . Why did they not showed similar sincerity in the case against the umpires including match refree for giving 11 wrong decisions in a match including one wrong decision by match rafree.Shouldnot the ICC be made a party for such a controversial umpiring.It is difficult to understand that how BCCI is happy.Inquiry should be set up for bungling the game by umpires for Australila Immediately.

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Appeal by Raj on 09 Jan 2008

Thank God they did not appoint a judge from the World Court. What is this? Has Bhajji committed some murder or crime? Bhajji should tell the judge that Even if he had called Symonds something he would not have called him monkey. The monkeys would have been insulted by this. He would have called Symonds "no so white Australian pig". Case dismissed. Next case "Tongue showing Hogg (another pig) Hazir ho". Hogg's penalty should be if he shows his tongue again while bowling he will be banned for life.

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