Did Koertzen call Pakistan "cheats"?

One of the most fascinating incidents to emerge in Darrell Hair's employment tribunal against the ICC yesterday afternoon was his claim that Rudi Koertzen, his fellow umpire from South Africa, had called the Pakistan team "cheats".

While Koertzen has not yet had a chance to respond, Michael Beloff, QC, who is representing the ICC in its defence of Hair's claim of racial discrimination, said today that the accusation was "sheer mudslinging". Beloff added that Hair had attempted to "blackmail" the ICC into giving him a pay-off in exchange for his silence. Hair denied that, but said he regretted sending an e-mail asking for a pay-off of $500,000 to Doug Cowie, his line manager, who had invited him to put the proposal in writing.

The following testimony by Hair may cause some raised eyebrows in Lahore:

"On the morning of March 18, 2007, I was in my car when I heard a news flash that Ireland had defeated Pakistan, the result of which was that Pakistan could not qualify for the next round of the World Cup," Hair said. "Just after, I answered a call on my phone from Doug Cowie. He said: 'Good news about Pakistan being knocked out. That must make your Irish blood proud.' I was not expecting such a call but I decided to add some levity by saying 'Yes, I'm sure that would make my great, great grandparents happy.'

"Mr Cowie handed the phone to Rudi Koertzen. After exchanging pleasantries, Mr Koertzen said, 'That's great news, those cheats can now go home.' I answered that I was not necessarily happy one way or the other. I was anxious not to extend the conversation as I was driving and it is illegal to do so while talking on a mobile phone. I ended the conversation by asking Mr Koertzen if he happened to see Trent Johnston, the Ireland captain, would he please give him my congratulations."

Hmmm. I think that, on legal grounds, that is all I am allowed to say. Hmmm, I say again.

Comments

[Peter Walker]

This is intresting. An ICC umpire is happy for defeat of a major team against minnows. In that case i can say if mr. Hair or Koertzen officiate in a Pakistan match, their decisions may not be fair. Pakistani authorities must sue the umpires and ICC for that. I am Iresh and we were happy winning against a major team, not distinctly against Pakistan, though I am a gerat supporter of the south Asian bigs personally

[IrFaN]

salam~

this proof tht ICC has no control over there umpires they have given free hand wht ever they do with any team .

what this is ???

ICC should take an action ..

Asian Cricket Council should also take an action because they all doing this kinda of thing with Asian Team only

Y yyyyyyyyyyyyyy ????

Answer plz

Thanks,
IrFaN ALi,
Peshawar,
PAKISTAN.

[Innocent Abroad]

I fear this whole business isn't going to do umpires as a whole any good.

It may also strengthen the hand of those who wish to slow the game down by subjecting every decision to innumerable TV replays.

[steve]

I think you should leave the whole unsavoury business alone. No good will come out of it, for anyone, including cricket. They are all mudslingers.