http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23018114-23212,00.html "The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian," the BCCI said in a statement. "To vindicate its position, the Board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player. "The board will appeal to the ICC to review the decision of the match referee and suspend its operation until the appeal is disposed of." So to paraphrase, Harbajan can't be a racist because there are no racists in India. When Symonds was the subject of monkey calls from the crowds in India October last year, specifically in Mumbai and Vadadora, he said: "Over the past couple of weeks, I have felt as though I have been put in a situation that is not of my making. Anyone who knows me will understand that being the focus of this particular story is something I'm not comfortable with. "I never made a complaint at any venue, but I did answer media questions asking whether I had heard the chants aimed at me in Vadodara. I said at the time that I wasn't particularly bothered by it, as I tried to defuse the original situation by interacting with the crowd. "I understand that racism in all sports is a sensitive, serious and a global issue. And it is pleasing to see the authorities here in Mumbai tackle the issue after the seventh one-day match. I would much prefer the focus to be on cricket." The BCCI then comes out and says as there was no complaint made it didn't happen. To suggest that there are no racist individuals in ANY society is naive at best.
I agree with them for suspending it after some of the stuff I've read. How can they ban Harbhajan on the hearsay of Ricky Ponting when its been admitted that the umpires and match referee didn't hear it? Aside from that, this story has brought up some of the old sledges the Aussies have done. Shouting "Choo choo choo" repeatedly at Chris Cairns just a couple of weeks after his sister had committed suicide jumping infront of a train? Theres gamesmanship, and then theres just disgusting. I know the Aussies are "ultra-competitive" but they go too far.
exactly the words kettle,frying pan and black spring to mind,also even the australian press have been quite humble about this whole episode.Ponting and co need to shut up and get on with it as at worse they have only taken a bit of there own medicine.
Some funnier sledges ......... Shamelessly copied and pasted from http://www.xboxworld.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-28950.html</p> 1. Rod Marsh & Ian Botham: When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife & my kids?" Botham retorted "Wifes fine thanks, kids are fcking retards though" 2. Daryll Cullinan & Shane Warne: As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted. 3. Glenn McGrath & Eddo Brandes: After Brandes played & missed at a McGrath delivery, the Aussie bowler politely enquired: "Oi, Brandes, why are you so fat?" "Cos every time I f**k your wife she gives me a biscuit," Brandes replied. 4. Robin Smith & Merv Hughes: During 1989 Lords Test Hughes said to Smith after he played & missed: "You can't f**king bat". Smith to Hughes after he smacked him to the boundary: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f**king bat & you can't f**king bowl." 5. Merv Hughes & Javed Miandad: During 1991 Adelaide Test, Javed called Merv a fat bus conductor. A few balls latter Merv dismissed Javed: "Tickets please", Merv called out as he ran past the departing batsman. 6. Merv Hughes & Viv Richards: During a test match in the West Indies, Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f**k *ff." 7. Ricky Ponting & Shaun Pollock: After going past the outside edge with a couple of deliveries, Pollock told Ponting: "It's red, round & weighs about 5 ounces." Unfortunately for Pollock, the next ball was hammered out of the ground. Ponting to Pollock: "you know what it looks like, now go find it." 8. And of course you can't forget Ian Healy's legendary comment which was picked up by the television microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat lovely person!!!" </p>
Monkey's not racist is it ? Mi mam used to call me a 'little monkey' all the time and what about the Comedian Al Read, his catch phrase was 'Right Monkey'