Controversial umpire Darrell Hair offered his resignation in return for a payment of 500,000 dollars, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday.
The Australian official, who later rescinded his offer, was one of two umpires officiating in the fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval last weekend who awarded the home side five penalty runs because they believed the tourists had illegally tampered with the ball.
Pakistan were incensed by the decision and refused to return to the pitch after the tea interval. The match was eventually forfeited and England took the series 3-0.
Speaking at a news conference here Friday, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "Hair was under great stress when he wrote these letters. "Darrell had no dishonest, underhand or malicious intent. He was seeking a solution that was in the interests of the game." Nevertheless Speed wrote back to his fellow Australian to tell him his offer was "entirely inappropriate". He went on to explain that after receiving the letter he had consulted a number of lawyers independently and they had all advised him to make it public.
"I have consulted independently of each other. They offered the unanimous view that the ICC was required to disclose it," added Speed. In his e-mail, which was sent to Doug Cowie, the ICC umpires and referees manager on Tuesday and released to the media Friday, Hair said: "I am prepared to retire/stand down/relinquish my position on the elite panel (of umpires) to take effect from August 31, 2006, on the following terms.
"A one-off payment to compensate the loss of future earnings and retainer payment over the next four years which I believe would have been the best years I have to offer ICC and world umpiring. This payment is to be the sum of (US dollars) 500,000 - details of which must be kept confidential by both parties. This sum to be paid directly into my account by 31st August 2006.
"This offer in no way precludes me taking legal action and/or instigating libel suits against various sections of the electronic and print media for comments made either previously or in the future." There was a pause when it was asked whether that by releasing the information on Hair, the ICC had effectively made his position untenable.
Speed replied: "Darrell Hair has been in a difficult position since Sunday and I'm stating the obvious by saying as a result of this disclosure that position has been made more difficult. "I said to Darrell that while this is a serious issue, there are issues in relation to his contract and to the ICC's Umpires' Code of Conduct.
"I said to him he's not sacked, he's not suspended and he has not been charged. We are in a very early stage of dealing with this issue." Later Friday, Hair issued a statement to clarify his position.
"There is a now a communication from myself to the ICC in the public domain. This correspondence was composed at a very difficult time and was revoked by myself two days later after a period of serious consideration," said Hair. "There was no malicious intent behind this communication with the ICC.
"I am anxious that the Code of Conduct hearing takes place as soon as possible so that these matters can be resolved and allow me to move on with my umpiring. "This is the only public comment I will be making on this matter and I request that the privacy of my family is respected at this time."
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