Hair withdraws race claim

Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove inspect the ball during the Brit Oval Test © Getty Images

Umpire Darrell Hair has dropped his case for racial discrimination against the International Cricket Council.

Hair launched the claim against the ICC after he was suspended from umpiring in top-level matches following an incident in the Brit Oval Test between England and Pakistan last August.

The Australian’s lawyer read out a statement at the tribunal in London unconditionally withdrawing the race allegations.

Robert Griffiths QC said: “Darrell Hair withdraws unconditionally his allegation of racial discrimination against the ICC Board, members and staff.

“Mr Hair has undertaken to work with ICC management in accordance with the rehabilitation programme over the next six months.”

Hair's role as an elite umpire will be reviewed in March

Mr Griffiths said that after completing the rehabilitation programme Mr Hair would be reassessed by the ICC and could resume umpiring top matches from March next year.

ICC president Ray Mali said: “We are pleased the issue has been resolved. We had no option but to defend these serious allegations.”

Hair will continue to umpire international matches, but not those involving Test-playing countries.

The ICC board will meet in March to discuss the results of Hair’s rehabilitation and decide whether he can return to elite umpiring, and if so, on what terms.

After the hearing, Hair’s solicitor Paul Gilbert said: “This is really about getting back to umpiring top cricket matches.

“Darrell feels relieved and glad it’s all over, and he does feel this is in the best interests of all parties.

Ray Mali welcomed Hair's decision to drop the case

“What we have now is a future for Darrell that leads to the possibility of his return to top-level umpiring.”

Mr Gilbert added that Hair did not regret bringing the proceedings.

Hair was barred from standing in Tests after he controversially awarded victory to England in at the Oval after Pakistan refused to return to the field.

The Pakistan team were protesting against Hair and co-umpire Billy Doctrove’s decision to penalise them for tampering with the ball.

Hair, 55, brought the race discrimination claim against the ICC because he felt that he - a white Australian - had been treated very differently from Doctrove, a black West Indian.

Hair argued that although he and Doctrove took the decision jointly, only he was punished for it.

Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the ICC, said he was very pleased that the allegation had been withdrawn, and that they had no alternative but to fight the case as vigorously as possible.