Darrell Hair on Tuesday dropped his claim for racial discrimination against the International Cricket Council (ICC) after securing a deal that could lead to the Australian resuming his career as a Test-match umpire next year.
A statement made to a London employment tribunal on the seventh day of what was supposed to be a ten-day hearing said that Hair ”unconditionally” withdrew his allegation of race discrimination by world cricket’s governing body.
Under a deal finalised on Tuesday morning, the 55-year-old umpire will now work with ICC management on a ”rehabilitation” programme and the ICC will decide in March 2008 whether he can return to top-level umpiring.
Hair took the ICC to the tribunal after being effectively barred from officiating in Test matches following last year’s controversial England-Pakistan match at the Oval.
The Test became the first in history to be won by forfeit after Pakistan refused to resume playing after being penalised for ball-tampering by Australian Hair and his fellow umpire, West Indian Billy Doctrove.
Hair had claimed he was a victim of racial discrimination because, while he has not been allowed to officiate in Tests since the incident, Doctrove has been able to continue his top-level career.
Pending the conclusion of his rehabilitation programme, Hair will continue to umpire matches just below Test level.
ICC president Ray Mali welcomed the move and said: ”We are pleased the issue has been resolved. We had no option but to defend these serious allegations but now it is time to move on.” — AFP
