The full statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released on Tuesday January 8 2008 confirming the tour of Australia will continue:

The working committee (WC) of the BCCI met today and discussed in detail the totally uncalled for and unjustified and patently illegal ban imposed on Harbhajan Singh by the match referee.

The WC also supported the statement issued on part of the BCCI on 7th January and the appeal filed.

The WC also reiterated that the ban imposed on Harbhajan is totally unacceptable.

It further authorised the president (Sharad Pawar) to take all possible steps at his command and deploy all human and material resources available to get the player cleared of the obnoxious and baseless accusation.

The president and office bearers were further authorised to take all appropriate decisions and exercise all available options in the situations arising during the course of the hearing.

The WC of the BCCI took note of all relevant circumstances and developments and decided that the Indian team tour to Australia should continue for the present.

The BCCI will review the tour and all other developments continuously.

The BCCI will request the ICC appeals commissioner appointed to hear Harbhajan's appeal to expeditiously dispose off the appeal in terms of regulation H11(e) of the ICC code of conduct for players and team officials.

The ICC has clarified to the Board that Harbhajan could play till the final disposal of the appeal.

This is only an interim arrangement.

The BCCI is of the categorical view, that the matter will have to be finally resolved and the unfair allegation against an Indian player be set aside or withdrawn.

The WC appreciated the efforts of the president and other officials and also the positive role played by Cricket Australia, the president of the ICC (Ray Mali) and the chief executive officer of the ICC (Malcolm Speed).