Umpire Hair drops case against ICC

LONDON, England -- Australian umpire Darrell Hair has dropped his case for racial discrimination against cricket's governing body.

Hair launched the claim against the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he was suspended from umpiring in top-level matches following an incident in the Oval Test between England and Pakistan last August.

Hair's lawyer read out a statement at the London tribunal withdrawing the race allegations.

Robert Griffiths QC said: "Darrell Hair withdraws unconditionally his allegation of racial discrimination against the ICC Board, members and staff. Mr Hair has undertaken to work with ICC management in accordance with the rehabilitation program over the next six months."

Griffiths said that after completing the rehabilitation program, Hair would be reassessed by the ICC and could resume umpiring top matches from March next year. It is understood that no financial pay-off was made to Hair.

Hair's solicitor, Paul Gilbert, said: "This is really about getting back to umpiring top matches.

"Darrell feels relieved and glad it's all over, and he does feel this is in the best interests of all parties. What we have now is a future for Darrell that leads to the possibility of his return to top-level umpiring."

ICC president Ray Mali welcomed the decision to drop the claims, and said: "We are pleased the issue has been resolved. We had no option but to defend these serious allegations."

Hair will continue to umpire international matches, but not those involving Test-playing countries.

The ICC board will meet in March to discuss the results of Hair's rehabilitation and decide whether he can return to elite umpiring, and if so, on what terms.

Hair was barred from standing in Test matches after he controversially awarded victory in the Oval match to England last August when opponents Pakistan refused to take to the field.

The Pakistan team were protesting against Hair and co-umpire Billy Doctrove's decision to penalise them for allegedly tampering with the ball.

Hair, 55, brought the race discrimination claim because he felt that he -- a white Australian -- had been treated very differently from Doctrove, a black West Indian.

The Australian had argued that although he and Doctrove took the decision jointly, only he was punished. E-mail to a friend