This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/cricket/6262651.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Gibbs banned for racist comments | Gibbs banned for racist comments |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs has been banned for two Test matches for making racist comments during the first Test against Pakistan. | South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs has been banned for two Test matches for making racist comments during the first Test against Pakistan. |
| The ban, imposed by match referee Chris Broad, was half the maximum penalty for an offence of this sort. | The ban, imposed by match referee Chris Broad, was half the maximum penalty for an offence of this sort. |
| His words were picked up by the stump microphone and broadcast on television during day four in Centurion. | His words were picked up by the stump microphone and broadcast on television during day four in Centurion. |
| Cricket South Africa said the comments were made after fielder Paul Harris was abused by members of the crowd. | Cricket South Africa said the comments were made after fielder Paul Harris was abused by members of the crowd. |
| Several unruly spectators were ejected from the ground on Sunday's fourth day in Centurion. | |
| "Herschelle says these remarks were for the ears only of his team-mates in his proximity," said chief executive Gerald Majola. | "Herschelle says these remarks were for the ears only of his team-mates in his proximity," said chief executive Gerald Majola. |
| "He has apologised if he has caused offence to anyone." | "He has apologised if he has caused offence to anyone." |
| Gibbs, who hit 94 in the first innings of the seven-wicket win at Centurion Park, near Pretoria, will miss the rest of the series against Pakistan. | Gibbs, who hit 94 in the first innings of the seven-wicket win at Centurion Park, near Pretoria, will miss the rest of the series against Pakistan. |
| The remark was racially offensive, the player admitted saying it and on that basis I am content that the punishment is appropriate Chris Broadmatch referee | |
| CSA has also organised its own disciplinary hearing, set to take place on Tuesday and headed by former judge Mervyn King. | CSA has also organised its own disciplinary hearing, set to take place on Tuesday and headed by former judge Mervyn King. |
| Rule 3.3 of the International Cricket Council code of conduct prohibits using " ... any language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethic origin." | Rule 3.3 of the International Cricket Council code of conduct prohibits using " ... any language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethic origin." |
| Gibbs pleaded not guilty to the level three charge but guilty to a level one offence, that does not mention racism. | |
| Broad said: "I took into account the mitigating circumstances that the players were provoked by unruly spectators. | |
| "However, the remark was racially offensive, the player admitted saying it and on that basis I am content that the level of the charge and the resulting punishment is appropriate. | |
| "Cricket has a zero tolerance of racism, as has been illustrated by the introduction last year of an amended ICC Anti-Racism Code, and this decision is an illustration of that fact." | |
| Herschelle was down at third man and he was copping a lot of abuse and I think even racial abuse Graeme SmithSouth Africa captain | |
| The last leading player to be given a ban for a racist outburst was Australia's Darren Lehmann, who was suspended for five one-day matches in the run-up to the last World Cup after an incident against Sri Lanka. | The last leading player to be given a ban for a racist outburst was Australia's Darren Lehmann, who was suspended for five one-day matches in the run-up to the last World Cup after an incident against Sri Lanka. |
| Captain Graeme Smith said he could not condone Gibbs' action but he made strong comments about the circumstances which led to the incident. | Captain Graeme Smith said he could not condone Gibbs' action but he made strong comments about the circumstances which led to the incident. |
| "There was quite a lot of racial abuse from the Pakistan fans towards our players and I think that provoked a lot of what happened," he said. | "There was quite a lot of racial abuse from the Pakistan fans towards our players and I think that provoked a lot of what happened," he said. |
| "Herschelle was down at third man and he was copping a lot of abuse and I think even racial abuse. | "Herschelle was down at third man and he was copping a lot of abuse and I think even racial abuse. |
| "The worrying thing is that Pakistan always have a large support base around the world. Security needs to be looked at. | "The worrying thing is that Pakistan always have a large support base around the world. Security needs to be looked at. |
| "There was an incident where Makhaya [Ntini] was hit on the head by a Pakistan flag going up the stairs. | "There was an incident where Makhaya [Ntini] was hit on the head by a Pakistan flag going up the stairs. |
| "The guys were provoked and that is why they are angry but we understand that what Herschelle did was wrong." | "The guys were provoked and that is why they are angry but we understand that what Herschelle did was wrong." |
| This is the second time Gibbs has been banned from the international game. | This is the second time Gibbs has been banned from the international game. |
| He was suspended for six months in 2000 for accepting a bribe to play poorly in a match against India, although he subsequently went back on the agreement. | He was suspended for six months in 2000 for accepting a bribe to play poorly in a match against India, although he subsequently went back on the agreement. |