The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday reacted strongly to the International Cricket Council's claims that umpire Darrell Hair was dropped from the ICC Champions Trophy due to "security and safety concerns".
"We never said security as the reason for dropping Hair. In fact we can provide him with adequate security," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told reporters in Mumbai.
Shah said the BCCI wanted the controversial Australian umpire dropped from the panel of umpires that will officiate at the tournament as there were chances of crowd trouble.
"During his matches there could be some crowd trouble like the spectators booing him or shouting at him. Also, media attention would be on him constantly," Shah added.
Earlier this week, BCCI president Sharad Pawar had written to the ICC asking them to drop Hair.
The Australian was omitted from the panel of umpires for the tournament on Thursday after the two-day code of conduct hearing at The Oval in London found Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq not guilty of ball tampering charges.
Inzamam was charged with ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute after the Pakistan team failed to return to the field after tea on day four of the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval in August after Darrell Hair and fellow-umpire Billy Doctrove had earlier imposed a five-run penalty against them for ball-tampering and changed the ball.
BCCI's administrative head Ratnakar Shetty said the BCCI had never expressed concern about safety and security.
"In fact one of the requisites for all ICC events is to provide adequate security to all teams and individuals," Shetty said.
Hair's replacement would be named in a day or two, Shetty added.
