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It has been revealed that Mike Procter, the match referee who found Harbhajan Singh guilty of calling Andrew Symonds a “monkey” during the Sydney Test, relied on the evidence of four Australian players in reaching his decision.

In a leaked copy of his report on the hearing, Procter says: “I have heard evidence from Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke and Mathew Hayden that he did say these words. Harbhajan Singh denies saying these words. 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.

“I am satisfied that the words were said and that the complaint to the umpires, which forms this charge, would not have been put forward falsely, I dismiss any suggestion of motive or malice.”

Among those present at the hearing, held after the Sydney Test ended on January 6, was Sachin Tendulkar, the other Indian batsman at the crease. Procter says Tendulkar only “tried to calm things down” after the incident occurred.

“It was submitted to me by Chetan Chauhan [the Indian team manager] that there was doubt because the umpires and other players did not hear the words but, in my judgment, they would not have been in a position to hear them,” Procter 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.”

The second issue he had to consider; Procter said, was whether Harbhajan used the words with the intention of insulting or offending him. “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.”

While asserting that whatever may have been said between them prior to the exchange in question was irrelevant, Procter acknowledges there was a “history” between the two dating back to the one-day international in Mumbai late last year. “It is not relevant to my findings here to decide what happened in Mumbai. Nevertheless there was trouble in Mumbai when members of the crowd were arrested for using the word “monkey” and gesturing towards Andrew Symonds. This caused both Indian and Australian boards to issue a joint-statement. To this extent Mumbai is relevant to this hearing.”

Source:Cricket News