I am watching an Indian television channel right now reporting that Harbhajan Singh has been banned for 3 matches for racism. Apparently the decision is based solely on what Australian players reported. The field umpires havent heard anything and there is no other evidence to show any racist comment/taunt/gesture/whatever. We will have to wait for more news.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

Nothing on cricinfo. Seems excessive...really think we need to look at what's best for this series here and just let this go with a warning, particulary seeing as the umpires didn't hear anything.

The match referee went by the testimonies of Clarke and Hayden. Sachin Tendulkar's testimony has been apparently overlooked as well as that of the two umpires who said that they havent heard anything.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

yes 3 test match ban seems confirmed (there seems to be no proof or video audio evidence, but the punishment was based on eyewitness)
harbhajan can appeal against the ban (i don't know the full details)
all above details courtesy(rediff.com)
tomorrow on indian parliament this issue might get debated and may get similar status that the mike dennis controversy got in india

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Heat Sucks-Red Death

CNN-IBN. Its the Indian wing of CNN in partnership with IBN. Yes, its a 3 test match ban.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

I will say it's 4am on the East coast now, so it's not likely this is "breaking".

Well it was breaking when DomainK first posted it. The decision was made after a hearing lasting 6 to 7 hours!

Seems a very one-sided decision. Ponting, Gilchrist, the two umpires or Tendulkar, who were all in the vicinity, didn't hear anything. There was no audio, TV or other evidence, despite there being numerous cameras and mikes around. So the decision was taken based on the word of two Australian players, who say they heard Harbhajan use the word "monkey" in reference to Symonds.

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A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes
Mark Twain

I think you're right Maranello, my apologies, it's on cricinfo now. I'd be kicking up more stink about this Indian fans, than the umpiring during the Test...this is a poor decision IMO.

I am sure the decision will be overturned. But it has done the damage. By the way, I would like to ask the Australians here, is the reference 'monkey' considered 'racist' in Australia?

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

In reference to someone of African descent, it would be considered racist anywhere. If any Indian player used that word in reference to Symonds, I am sure they did so in the full knowledge that it was racist and offensive; there has been sufficient publicity of this whole issue in the past few months, and in any case, these guys are experienced international travellers who know how that word is perceived by many across the world.

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A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes
Mark Twain