Procter Scratches Head At Role In Fuss

The Age

Saturday January 26, 2008

By Alex Brown, Adelaide, with AAP

CONTROVERSY, Mike Procter says, seems to follow him around the globe.

In 2002, the South African match referee was in Karachi when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device outside his hotel, killing 14 people and prompting New Zealand to abandon its tour of Pakistan. The following year, he controversially banned the then Pakistani captain Rashid Latif for five games for claiming a false catch against Bangladesh.

And things have only become more difficult since.

Procter was the match referee for the Oval Test of 2006, which resulted in the first forfeiture in the 129-year history of the game. Australian umpire Darrell Hair eventually bore the brunt of blame for the match, which Pakistan technically forfeited.

But it has been the most recent race row involving Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh that, Procter says, has most tested him - as a man and a referee.

"Being South African as well, and having seen the effects of racism first-hand, it was a really tough call," Procter said. "It was probably more tough and stressful than the events surrounding the Oval Test, when the match was abandoned. It has been very difficult on a personal and professional level."

Procter's decision to ban Harbhajan for three Tests for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a "monkey" during the Sydney Test comes under further scrutiny next week, when an appeal is heard before New Zealand high court judge John Hansen.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has assembled a team of lawyers in an attempt to have Procter's ruling overturned, with witnesses arranged to testify via video hook-up and in person in Adelaide.

"I can't comment specifically about the case, but I will say that, despite some reports to the contrary, I have a good relationship with the Indians," Procter said. "Now it is in the hands of the ICC, so I will leave it at that."

A leaked statement from Procter to the hearing says: "I note that Sachin Tendulkar only became involved when he realised that something was happening and was gestured over.

"He tried to calm things down because something had happened that he did not hear. Both umpires did not hear nor did Ricky Ponting or Sachin Tendulkar. I am satisfied and sure beyond reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh did say these words."

The report said Procter also wrote that the defence that Harbhajan uttered a Hindi word that sounded like "monkey" was never used in the hearing.

"I am sure beyond reasonable doubt that the use of the word 'monkey' or 'big monkey' was said to insult or offend Andrew Symonds on the basis of his race, colour or ethnic origin." -- With AAP

© 2008 The Age

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