South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs was due to appear before match referee Chris Broad after the first Castle Lager Test between South Africa and Pakistan at SuperSport Park, it was announced on Monday.
Gibbs’s appearance before the match referee is a result of a complaint laid against him by Pakistan team management after abusive remarks he made on Sunday. Broad will report his findings to the International Cricket Council (ICC), who are expected to issue a statement later.
The remarks, which were transmitted to television viewers around the world, were picked up by a stump microphone. Gibbs was referring to a group of Pakistan supporters who had apparently been shouting abusive remarks at members of the South African team.
He will also appear before a Cricket South Africa (CSA) disciplinary hearing on Tuesday morning. This hearing will be conducted by retired judge Mervyn King, and CSA will release a statement after the hearing.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith said there was a lot of anger in the South African captain about the racial abuse they had been subjected to.
”We don’t condone what was said, but we can understand why it happened,” said Smith. ”I think security needs to be looked at as regards the Pakistan supporters. The guys came in for a lot of abuse from them, and they were quite emotional about it. But I can’t say too much because it is the subject of a disciplinary hearing.”
It was revealed on Sunday that two Pakistan supporters had been asked to leave the stadium after South Africa had complained to stadium security that spin bowler Paul Harris had been abused by them while fielding on the boundary.
”CSA has investigated the matter and we have heard the remarks made by Herschelle Gibbs in response to verbal abuse directed by a number of Pakistan supporters at Paul Harris while he was fielding on the boundary,” said CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.
”Herschelle says these remarks were only for the ears of his teammates in his proximity, and were directed in general terms at that section of the crowd that had verbally abused Paul Harris. He has apologised for any offence he may have caused.
”However, CSA regards this whole matter in a most serious light and Herschelle will appear before CSA’s disciplinary commissioner at the earliest opportunity,” continued Majola.
”Cricket South Africa would like to commend the stadium authorities for evicting a number of unruly spectators, including those Pakistan supporters who abused Paul Harris.
”This action was taken in terms of the regulations flowing from the ICC’s anti-racism policy.
”CSA will continue to enforce these regulations rigidly, and we make a special plea to spectators to support their teams in the right spirit of the game,” concluded Majola. — Sapa