Australian umpire Darrell Hair says he conferred with some of cricket's most powerful officials before asking for a 500,000 US dollar payout to walk away from Test cricket, reports said on Sunday.
The International Cricket Council on Friday revealed that Hair had offered his resignation in return for the payment, one which the ICC deemed as "entirely inappropriate".
Hair, who later rescinded his offer, was one of two umpires officiating in the fourth and final Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval last weekend who awarded the home side five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.
Hair said he only arrived at what is regarded as his career-ending decision after speaking to some of the game's leading administrators, whom he did not identify.
"It wasn't a spur of the moment thing," Hair told Sydney's Sunday Telegraph from England.
"I had dialogue with them. That was understood. I didn't do it off the cuff. (Umpires' boss) Doug Cowie even said in his email reply to my offer that the proposal had merit."
Asked whether he would ever umpire again, Hair said: "Let's address one thing at a time."
The Sunday Telegraph said it appeared that Hair spoke to ICC officials about terminating his contract with 18 months to spare but they were staggered by his request for such huge compensation.
But Hair, who has been vilified in Pakistan's media over his decision and a perceived bias against Asian teams, said he meant no harm with the shock offer to stand down revealed on Friday.
"This correspondence was composed at a very difficult time and was revoked by myself after a period of serious consideration," he said in a statement.
"There was no malicious intent behind this communication with the ICC. I am anxious the code of conduct hearing takes place as soon as possible so these matters can be resolved and allow me to move on with my umpiring."
Hair insisted his request had fallen on some sympathetic ears before he retracted it following an intervention from ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.
"I had dialogue with them. (ICC Umpires and Referees manager) Doug Cowie even said in his email reply to my offer that the proposal had merit." Asked whether he would ever umpire again, Hair told the Mail: "Let's address one thing at a time."
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