NDTV
Melbourne, Feb 28: Matthew Hayden was let off with just a warning by the Australian cricket board after he was charged with breaking Rule 9 of Cricket Australia's code of conduct.
On Tuesday, Hayden had described Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh as "an obnoxious little weed" on Brisbane Radio.
At a three-hour long CA meeting in Melbourne, Hayden was charged for the breach in the morning. However, sources told NDTV that he has been let off with just a warning.
Hayden, in his statement after the verdict, said: "I stand by my innocence. I didn't want to denigrate any player. I respect the decision by Cricket Australia. Right now my focus is on the tri-series finals which we badly want to win."
The Australian opener had been charged under Rule 9, which prohibits detrimental public comment. Rule guidelines prohibit public denigration of other players against whom they have or will play.
Meanwhile, Indian team manager Bimal Soni said, "BCCI is doing whatever they have to." The Indian team, however, has been asked not to comment on the issue.
According to sources, Cricket Australia's stand is that Hayden brought disrepute to the game and that is a breach of their code of conduct.
"Cricket Australia has assured BCCI of action," said Bimal Soni, Indian team's Manager.
The Indian team management had also lodged a written complaint with the Match Referee about the provocative behaviour of the home team during their Sunday match and threatened to take a "befitting action" if Ricky Ponting and his men persisted with such behaviour.
Hayden Down and Under: