Speed book tells of Monkeygate 'collusion'

[Desi Cartman]

FORMER International Cricket Council boss Malcolm Speed has published a letter in which the Indian and Australian boards are accused of colluding in a way that could have been ''disastrous for cricket'' at the height of the ''Monkeygate'' scandal. In his new memoirs, Speed says India's wealth and power can be a great advantage for cricket but they must be used responsibly. His warning coincides with India confirming its superpower status, with the world's No. 1 Test nation lifting the World Cup in Mumbai last weekend, and ahead of an Indian tour next summer that will generate media rights worth between five and six times more to Cricket Australia than England's Ashes visit. Speed reproduces, in part, a letter from Justice John Hansen, the judge appointed to hear the Harbhajan Singh appeal after he was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds during the Sydney Test of January, 2008. The letter reveals the lengths CA went to preserve its relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and, as Speed puts it, ''the willingness of [india's] administrators to use their financial muscle when national pride is at stake''. Justice Hansen wrote in a letter to Speed: ''Although both boards would deny it, BCCI and CA were having discussions behind the scenes to resolve matters. Indeed, they presented me with an agreed statement of facts and a consent order that they expected me to rubber-stamp. In my view the consequences of such a course of action would have been disastrous for cricket. In any event, their actions undermined the independence of the Code of Conduct Commissioner, were unbecoming, and in my view, contrary to the spirit of cricket.'' India infamously threatened to pull out of the tour, which would have caused a financial catastrophe for CA, and the ''agreed statement of facts'' (signed by Harbhajan, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Symonds, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Sachin Tendulkar) made no mention of the alleged racial taunt, ''big monkey''. ''The agreed statement had significantly watered down the version of events that had been given previously,'' Speed writes in his book, Sticky Wicket. A CA spokesman said: "We are not about to trawl over old ground or make any further comment on the matter other than to say that CA did not at any stage agree to any lesser charge and, on the contrary, ensured that the agreed set of facts was noted in order to ensure the judge could independently assess that matter in accordance with appropriate judicial procedures.'' Speed said he hoped to correct misconceptions about the scandal, which left Australian players feeling furious and let down. They assumed Harbhajan would be banned even without the mention of racism, but an administrative error meant Justice Hansen was not made aware of three prior offences and he was fined 50 per cent of his match fee. Speed recalls his own reaction to the mistake. ''I kicked my desk when I heard about it, hurting my foot and doing no damage whatsoever to its sturdy Dubai-manufactured composite timber frame.'' He said this week: ''It's pretty clear that [india's] power evolves from television rights when India tours, so they don't need to do very much to exercise that power. From time to time other countries will need to stand up to India but India needs to exercise that power responsibly.'' Had Justice Hansen not insisted on hearing the evidence, Speed said, ''it would have legitimised India being able to abuse that power and other countries falling into line.''

[maaki]

Aussies dont like to get fxxcked and ofcourse enjoy fxxcking others.. Harbhajan gave them what they deserved..

[Zap_Brannigan]

TLDR : Speed, the guy who hates India, talking about hating India more.

[Stuge]

I thought the matter was closed 3 years back and now this ...hmm

[pinkfreud]

Assuming that Bhajji said 'monkey' and not 'Maa ki...': I've never understood what was the big deal about Monkeygate. Can someone seriously tell me what the f**k is so racist about calling someone a monkey? They are alright with being called Roos/Kangaroos but get stung when some one calls them monkey? The alleged 'racism' in this instance was totally subjective. The icing on the cake is that Symmo is more white than Bhajji himself. The Aussies back then played the sorry victims and went crying to their mommies in CA, which is priceless considering their players have been some of the most potty mouthed freaks ever. Cry me a river, Malcolm S*itface Speed. P.S: It seems CA and Speed have selective memory when it comes to the blatant racism displayed by Aussie cricket fans. Also, what does he have to say about that Lehmann-Jayasuriya incident? http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Racism-shames-nation-Cricket-Australia/2006/01/31/1138590491418.html

[TheWall]

With India being crowned the World Champions, narrow minded want to rake up some dead issue & try maligning India's image. Am sure this backfire & put a permanent brake on Mr Speed. Its really funny to see ppl trying all sort of circus... Am enjoying it.

[DomainK]

Speed can go to hell. Besides, I can not understand why a judge would "write a letter" like that. Something's fishy.

[Stuge]

now both bhajji and symo playing for one team Greatness of IPL money :hysterical::hysterical::giggle::giggle: