India suspend cricket tour of Australia after player is banned for racist outburst
India have suspended their cricket tour of Australia pending the outcome of an appeal against a three-match ban handed to spin bowler Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan was banned for making a racist remark during their tempestuous defeat to Australia in Sydney.
He was found guilty of breaching the players' code of conduct.
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Banned: Harbhajan Singh
It was claimed that Harbhajan called Australia's Andrew Symonds a "monkey".
Match referee Mike Procter said he was satisfied Harbhajan had used the word and that "he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin".
All-rounder Symonds, 32, is the only non-white player in the Australian side.
Australia's Andrew Symonds: It was claimed that Harbhajan Singh shouted rascist abuse at him
In a statement, the BCCI said: "The Board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the Match Referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of.
"The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian.
"To vindicate its position, the Board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player."
The Indian team were due to travel to Canberra today to prepare for their next match but returned to hotel rooms after boarding their bus.
