Gibbs' appeal hearing concludes, decision expected tomorrow

Herschelle Gibbs' appeal against the ban of two Test matches imposed upon him for breaching the ICC's Code of Conduct took place via teleconference today (Wednesday), the ICC confirmed today.

The hearing was conducted by former Australia captain Richie Benaud, that country's nominee as a Code of Conduct Commissioner, who is acting as the Appeals Commissioner in this matter.

It is expected that Mr Benaud will issue his decision on the matter tomorrow (Thursday 25 January).

The teleconference involved Gibbs, his legal representative, ICC match referee Chris Broad and a legal representative acting on his behalf. ICC In-House Lawyer Ms. Urvasi Naidoo was also present on the call in an administrative capacity.

Mr Benaud has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding.

Once Mr Benaud has reached his decision, he must provide it in writing to the ICC's In-House Lawyer, who will then forward it to Gibbs, Mr Broad and ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed ahead of any public announcement.

Gibbs is appealing the ban imposed after the match referee found him guilty of a Level 3 offence, specifically a breach of clause 3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

That clause prohibits "...any language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethic origin."

The charge, laid by Malcolm Speed, relates to an incident that took place shortly before the lunch interval on Sunday, the fourth day of the first Test between the two sides at Centurion, when Gibbs' comments were overheard through a stump microphone on the ground.

The hearing was conducted by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of match referees after the Test concluded on Monday 15 January. Gibbs apologized for the remark but pleaded not guilty to the Level 3 charge.

The full list of ICC Code of Conduct Commissioners can be found at: https://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/about/coc.html

Full details of the appeal process can be found within the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials, which is located at: https://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/rules/code-of-conduct-for-players-and-officials.pdf