Chappell accuses Indian board of cover-up

[DesiChap]

Cricinfo staff November 13, 2007 Greg Chappell believes he was the victim of a racist attack during his difficult two-year tenure as India's coach, and in an ABC documentary to be screened next week, hits out at the Indian authorities who he feels attempted to play down a serious breach of security at Bhubaneswar Airport, in the eastern state of Orissa. The team had just arrived to play a one-day international against West Indies in January this year when a fan burst out of the crowd and threw a punch at Chappell. "I got hit on the side of the head and my immediate reaction was 'he's broken my jaw'," Chappell told the documentary team. Although there was a suggestion at the time that the lack of local representation in the Indian team was the motive for the attack, Chappell was not so sure. "Indians are very quick to complain about racism," he said. "There are plenty of Indian cricketers the guy could have attacked but he chose to attack me. In a recent interview with The Australian, Chappell elaborated on the events that followed the incident, in particular the lack of action from the Indian board. "As I said to the BCCI in a letter, had it been one of the players who was attacked there would have been an outcry, but because it was me no-one seemed to care. The reply came back talking about my racist comments. "There was a cover-up," he added. "Everyone went into cover-up mode. It was quite obvious it was a serious assault. It wasn't just a push in the back as the media was led to believe. The whole thing was played down. The only phone call I got from the BCCI asked me whether it really happened." As far as Chappell was concerned, there is no question what happened. "This bloke came in from behind and gave me a whack in the right ear," he told The Australian. "Luckily he yelled out as he was leaping through the air to punch me and gave me enough warning to pull away a little bit. "It was still a fairly solid blow. My legs buckled, but I had a briefcase on wheels with a long handle and I was able to use it as support to stop me from going down." Chappell quit as India's coach four months later, following a disastrous World Cup campaign, but he claims that the incident cemented his decision to walk away as soon as his contract expired. In fact, he felt he should have gone sooner, after the BCCI reversed his attempts to inject new blood into the Indian squad by recalling older players such as Sourav Ganguly.

[DesiChap]

The snake is back in the news !

[Dravid]

Greg Chappell accuses Indian board of cover-up Former coach lifts lid on turbulent tenure Greg Chappell accuses Indian board of cover-up Cricinfo staff November 13, 2007 Greg Chappell believes he was the victim of a racist attack during his difficult two-year tenure as India's coach, and in an ABC documentary to be screened next week, hits out at the Indian authorities who he feels attempted to play down a serious breach of security at Bhubaneswar Airport, in the eastern state of Orissa. The team had just arrived to play a one-day international against West Indies in January this year when a fan burst out of the crowd and threw a punch at Chappell. "I got hit on the side of the head and my immediate reaction was 'he's broken my jaw'," Chappell told the documentary team. Although there was a suggestion at the time that the lack of local representation in the Indian team was the motive for the attack, Chappell was not so sure. "Indians are very quick to complain about racism," he said. "There are plenty of Indian cricketers the guy could have attacked but he chose to attack me. In a recent interview with the Australian, Chappell elaborated on the events that followed the incident, in particular the lack of action from the Indian board. "As I said to the BCCI in a letter, had it been one of the players who was attacked there would have been an outcry, but because it was me no-one seemed to care. The reply came back talking about my racist comments. "There was a cover-up," he added. "Everyone went into cover-up mode. It was quite obvious it was a serious assault. It wasn't just a push in the back as the media was led to believe. The whole thing was played down. The only phone call I got from the BCCI asked me whether it really happened." As far as Chappell was concerned, there is no question what happened. "This bloke came in from behind and gave me a whack in the right ear," he told the Australian. "Luckily he yelled out as he was leaping through the air to punch me and gave me enough warning to pull away a little bit. "It was still a fairly solid blow. My legs buckled, but I had a briefcase on wheels with a long handle and I was able to use it as support to stop me from going down." Chappell quit as India's coach four months later, following a disastrous World Cup campaign, but he claims that the incident cemented his decision to walk away as soon as his contract expired. In fact, he felt he should have gone sooner, after the BCCI reversed his attempts to inject new blood into the Indian squad by recalling older players such as Sourav Ganguly. "I probably had the chance to walk away at that stage but you can't walk out halfway through something you've taken on," said Chappell. "In hindsight it may have been the better thing to do but I had committed to be there for that period of time so I decided I'd see it out." © Cricinfo

[Dravid]

LMAO, another aussie complaining about racism :hahaha: it wasnt a racist attack.. it was motivated thx to your dumbarse brain :hahaha:

[Guest dada_rocks]

These guys get treated like roylty in INdia still they complain time to show them their real worth

[coffee_rules]

Why does only cricinfo care about this piece of news so much, it puts it on the front page above all other cricket news....and not in country specific site? What a crabby site!

[Bumper]

Greg Chappell & Bob Woolmer delivered more news than results. Woolmer is a legend, he is no more, but Jamaican authorities are stil releasing 4 conspiracy theories a month on his death

[Mr. Wicket]

Chappell wasn't picked on because of racism, he was picked on because he's a very dislikable high profile character who wasn't helping the team with his politicking. Granted, trying to beat him up isn't the most civilised route of action, but to put it on racism is a bit daft.

[Lurker]

Greg Chappell & Bob Woolmer delivered more news than results. Woolmer is a legend' date=' he is no more, but [b']Jamaican authorities are stil releasing 4 conspiracy theories a month on his death

I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy. I mean come on what kind of civilization we live in where dead body is being post mortemed 4 months afterwards?? One seriously has to wonder what did Woolmer do to deserve this. So sad. By the way I have to wonder as to how Greg C took the beating by a person as racist comment etc etc...How do you say a racist comment to a Whitie anyway???

[The Outsider]

Someone should tell Chappel how the homes of cricketers have been pelted in the past. But I guess he already knows that and is just trying to stay in the news at any cost. This is a dumb publicity stunt at best.

[Donny]

By the way I have to wonder as to how Greg C took the beating by a person as racist comment etc etc...How do you say a racist comment to a Whitie anyway???

Maybe you should read the twice posted article. Then you could look up the meaning of racism/racist.

[The Outsider]

Do you think this was a racist attack on Chappel, Donny?

[Predator_05]

Racially motivated attack my ass. Let's revisit the incident and understand the reasons behind the "attack" straight from the horse's mouth;

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/277219.html One agitated man, identified as Biranchi Maharana, broke through the thin police cordon, got among the local reporters, and rushed towards Chappell. In a blink, he had shoved and hit Chappell on the back. Chappell stumbled, nearly fell, recovered and hastened towards the entrance. Gautam Gambhir then did what the police should have done by blocking off the entrance and allowing Chappell to board the bus. Maharana was arrested soon after the incident and, while being whisked away, shouted, "I am angry with Chappell because no player from Orissa has been included in the national team."

Apparently, this nut-job (no, not Chappell) was part of some no-mark local political party which was protesting against the establishment for not including local cricketers in the Indian squad Racism ? I think not. I am afraid that Sir Gregory is just doing what he always did in his time as Indian coach - being an attention-wh0re.

[bharat297]

I wouldnt say it is racist ... but it was more to do with the fact that Chappel wasnt delivering results (ok ... he never got the team he wanted) and in the process was attacking his players in the media. I would say that if any of the Indian team walked through a public street right after world cup 2007, they probably would have received much worse treatment.

[Guest HariSampath]

what was going on in this forum during the Chappell controversies...? any interesting threads ?

[King]

How credential is Chappell's comments anyways? None cares about his comments.

[beetle]

Now he says he is ok...and got over it.... And happy with the love and hospitality shown to him and his wife in his new job.....:whatchutalkingabout They had a phone in kind of thingyy with him on tv.....

[Brainfade]

Scumbag. If that were true, how come John Wright was never racially abused? Has it ever occurred to GC that if he were looking in a mirror, a complete jerk would be staring back at him?

[kabira]

its like pig saying to his fellow pig "You stink"

[Brainfade]

its like pig saying to his fellow pig "You stink"

I disagree. It is like a dirty pig saying to a clean pig "You stink."