Media Release from Justice Ahmed Ebrahim

Media Release by Match Referee, Mr Justice Ahmed Ebrahim

Following the One Day International between South Africa and Kenya played in Kimberley on 14 October 2001 a press conference was held within the precincts of the ground. During the course of the conference Mr M. Odumbe the Kenyan team Captain is alleged to have made certain critical comments about one of the standing umpires.

In terms of the International Cricket Council code of conduct clause 8 provides as follows:

Clause 8 - Players and/or team officials shall not make any public pronouncement or media comments which is detrimental:

(a) to the game of cricket in general;

(b) to a particular tour(whether or nor they are personally involved with the tour);

The adverse comments made by Mr Odumbe were brought to my attention by certain members of the press and they invited my comments. I refused to make any comments but indicated to them the proceedings in place in terms of the ICC Code of Conduct for captains to report on the umpires and also for the referee to report on the performance of umpires.

Thereafter acting in terms Clause D 8 (c ), and E 1.2 of the code I as match referee, held a hearing in terms of the disciplinary procedures stipulated in the ICC Code of Conduct section G. The meeting took place on 16 October at 09:30am at St. George's Park. Present at the hearing Mr Odumbe, Mr S. Patil the Kenyan coach and Mr D. Orchard. Mr Quraishy did come to the meeting but left before the commencement of the hearing due to ill health.

I am satisfied, on the evidence I have heard that Mr Odumbe has breached Clause 8 of the Code of Conduct. The evidence is overwhelming, in the form of press reports, the acceptance by Mr Odumbe that he did make certain remarks, the fact that members of the press corps sought comment from me and finally the contents of the captains report filed by Mr Odumbe on the relevant umpires correspondence.

It follows that Mr Odumbe is guilty of having breached Clause 8 of the Code of Conduct. Mr Odumbe has accepted during the course of the hearing that he was wrong in what he did and apologised to the umpire concerned. Mr S. Patil also tendered an apology on behalf of Mr Odumbe and the team.

I have taken these factors into account. I however take a very serious view of Mr Odumbe's behaviour. He as captain had an additional responsibility to lead by example. He has chosen to conduct himself in a most irresponsible manner. In the pre-season series meeting held for this series I had brought to his attention the comments of a senior correspondent to the following effect.

"As a rule umpires are on the wrong end of the deal. Television strips them bare and gnaws at the flesh of good men who, by and large, do a terrific job in a game which can no longer trust a majority of its participants. The players have a lot to answer for. Many have taken the laws to their limit for some time now and invariably search for more than just the main chance. They search for the opportunity to get in behind an umpire's defences and grind down his confidence, thus influencing his reason. As a body, umpires are to be supported, admired and respected."

I had appealed at our pre-series meeting that captains take these observations on board. He has clearly ignored this plea.

It is also my view that the remarks made by Mr Odumbe do not reflect the true picture on how the umpire conducted himself during the course of the relevant game. In my view the entire atmosphere during the course of the match appeared to me to be one of calm and control. This is reflected in other reports received and from my own observations. The serious aggravating features of Mr Odumbe's conduct are that:

(1) He has made a public pronouncement on the conduct of an umpire when he should have known there were procedures in place for him to have done so through the proper channels.

(2) He made these allegations despite my warning in my pre-series meeting on what was expected of all concerned on their dealings with umpires.

(3) The remarks made accuse the victim of bias. I find these remarks to be of a highly scurrilous nature and to be totally without foundation.

Had it not been for the relative inexperience of Mr Odumbe I would have suspended him for a longer period but taking into account his contrition and apology I will exercise leniency. He and others need to be reminded that the ICC has every intention of clamping down on such behaviour. Mr Odumbe is suspended for two One Day Internationals with immediate effect.