India back Harbhajan over monkey claims

SYDNEY – India’s management backed controversial spinner Harbhajan Singh yesterday following reports that he made monkey gestures to the crowd during the first tri-series final against Australia.

The reports quoted a spectator as saying Harbhajan had scratched his armpits and spat after being heckled by sections of the crowd during the match in Sydney on Sunday. Harbhajan was banned for three tests for allegedly calling Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds a monkey during the second test in January.The punishment was later reduced on appeal.”I think it is wrong,” India manager Bimal Soni told reporters.”Nothing has been done like that.”They are making a mountain out of a molehill.He did nothing.”India beat Australia by six wickets in the first tri-series final and will clinch the tournament with victory in the second match in Brisbane today.Soni said his team were concentrating on cricket.”We do not talk about it, we only talk about the cricket on the field and we do not want to talk anything about these things,” he said.The International Cricket Council match referee Jeff Crowe said the Indian spinner had no case to answer.”I have investigated the alleged incident with Cricket Australia’s ground security officials after reading newspaper reports and viewing related photographs,” he said in a statement published yesterdayNampa-ReutersHarbhajan was banned for three tests for allegedly calling Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds a monkey during the second test in January.The punishment was later reduced on appeal.”I think it is wrong,” India manager Bimal Soni told reporters.”Nothing has been done like that.”They are making a mountain out of a molehill.He did nothing.”India beat Australia by six wickets in the first tri-series final and will clinch the tournament with victory in the second match in Brisbane today.Soni said his team were concentrating on cricket.”We do not talk about it, we only talk about the cricket on the field and we do not want to talk anything about these things,” he said.The International Cricket Council match referee Jeff Crowe said the Indian spinner had no case to answer.”I have investigated the alleged incident with Cricket Australia’s ground security officials after reading newspaper reports and viewing related photographs,” he said in a statement published yesterday Nampa-Reuters