Court date set as Atherton is sued for defamation over 'Buffoon' remark

Michael Atherton has received a summons to appear in court after journalist, Asghar Ali, started proceedings to sue for defamation.

In a Rawalpindi press conference during the 1996 World Cup, Atherton, fresh from defeat at the hands of South Africa, repeatedly failed to understand Ali's broken English and asked, "Can someone get this buffoon out of here?"

Ali claims the remark "ruined his life," and is suing for 12 million Pakistan rupees in damages. "My personal life, my professional life and my financial life have been affected," Ali claimed recently. Apparently it even resulted in the cancellation of his wedding, as his the woman he planned to marry "did not want to be the wife of a buffoon." He is also writing a book about the incident entitled, "Buffoon: Me or you?"

Though the English team management apologised at the time, Atherton has not made the public apology demanded by Ali.

The news will come as an unwelcome distraction to the England team, especially with the date of the court hearing having been set for December 7 in Islamabad, which coincides with the first day of the Third Test, in Karachi.

Though Atherton is not expected to appear in court personally, he is believed to be taking legal advice and will appoint a representative to plead his case.