ICC wants BCCI to explain alleged racial slur

NAGPUR: Taking a serious note of allegation of racist chanting against Andrew Symonds, the International Cricket Council has demanded the BCCI's explanation on the incident reported in the media after the fifth one-dayer in Vadodara.

"We have noted media reports of racist chanting during the India-Australia ODI in Vadodara on Thursday and also of racist abuse directed at South Africa players and team officials in Lahore," ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.

"In the light of those reports we have written to both the BCCI and the PCB (on Saturday) asking for their comments on the incidents," he said emphasising ICC's 'zero tolerance to racism'.

Symonds had complained of 'monkey chants' from a section of Vadodara crowd when the all rounder was fielding near the boundary.
   
But the Cricket Australia had refused to lodge an official complaint with the ICC and left the matter to the BCCI to handle, saying the ICC's anti-racism policy clearly states that it is the home board's responsibility.
   
Speed also said the ICC's anti-racism "Code outlines measures host Members are expected to undertake and those measures were unanimously approved by the ICC's Board.
   
"We need to understand whether those measures are working. If they are not then our Members need to tell us why so we can ensure cricket remains free from the scourge of racism."
   
Speed said the games governing in its next meeting in Dubai would also discuss if the issue of racism was being addressed properly.
   
"With the ICC Board set to meet in Dubai at the end of this month there is scope for discussion on this subject then, if appropriate, to ensure it is properly addressed on an ongoing basis," he said.
   
However, match organisers Baroda Cricket Association and the local police have vehemently denied the allegations that Symonds was racially abused during the match there.
   
Vadodara Police Commissioner PC Thakur told that the crowd occasionally chanted 'Ganapatibappa Moriya', which might have led to the confusion.
   
The crowd was chanting that after Indian wickets kept falling. They did not expect their team to lose and did not spare some of the Indian players either. But none uttered a single word against any Australian player," Thakur said.
    
BCA secretary Rakesh Parikh also dismissed charges of racial abuse.
    
"The crowd chanted 'Ganapatibappa Moriya' hoping for some divine intervention and none of them passed any racial remark against any Australian," he said.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting yesterday hit out at the racist remarks alleged to have been uttered at teammate Symonds in Vadodara and said racism was unacceptable globally.
    
"Racism is unacceptable anywhere in the world. You don't expect it to happen when you step out to play. He (Symonds) did not deserve it and you don't expect it to happen," Ponting had said on the eve of sixth ODI.