South African says racism ban was 'tough call'

Sydney was harder than The Oval - Procter

Cricinfo staff

January 26, 2008

	Mike Procter: "It seems drama follows me wherever I go" © Getty Images

Mike Procter says dealing with the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds hearing in Sydney was even harder than handling the 2006 Oval Test, which was awarded as a forfeit to England after Pakistan refused to play amid a ball-tampering row. Procter was the match referee in both cases and he believes the two situations were completely different.

"Being South African as well, and having seen the effects of racism first-hand, it was a really tough call," Procter told the Sydney Morning Herald. "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.

"[The Oval] was a very unusual day. Everyone in the ICC ... did everything in our power to make something happen, but with the rules of cricket being what they were, there was nothing that could be done. It was, in many ways, an impossible situation.

"But I would say the issues and pressures that came out of Sydney were in many ways greater. Many of the situations that come up have never been dealt with before, and at the end of the day, it is you alone who must come up with the decision, drawing on your cricketing experiences and general knowledge. It seems drama follows me wherever I go."

The appeal over Harbhajan's three-Test ban for allegedly calling Symonds a "monkey" during the SCG match will be heard next week. Procter said despite criticism over his handling of the case - a leaked report suggests he took the word of the Australian fielders - he did not have a bad relationship with India.

"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."

© Cricinfo

Add to del.icio.us | digg this | Stumble It What's this? If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content on cricket, you may use these buttons. When you add them to any of these sites, you "social bookmark" them for others to find and rate. More on del.icio.us>> More on digg>> More on stumbleupon>> Close

Current Cricinfo fantasy games - SL v Ind, Eng v SA & County Cricket Login and check the standings Live scores, results, news, features and more - a click away Download the Cricinfo Toolbar Live scores, ball-by-ball commentary & news direct to your phone Cricinfo's mobile services

Stories

New twist in Harbhajan case?

Procter took Australians' word in Harbhajan hearing

The aftermath of the Sydney Test

Players/Umpires

Harbhajan Singh

Mike Procter

Andrew Symonds

Series/Tournaments

India tour of Australia

Teams

Australia

India