Not only at Sydney but Harbhajan Singh had also allegedly called Andrew Symonds a "monkey" in Mumbai during Australia's recent tour to India, a media report claimed on Wednesday.
However, Symonds, who was subjected to monkey chants by fans in that tour, sorted out the matter after having one-on-one talks with the Indian spinner, a report in The Australian, citing sources, said.
Symonds reported the racist taunt to captain Ricky Ponting after the game and a team meeting of the Australians resolved to report Harbhajan to the match referee, it said.
The report added that Symonds however refused to allow his team to prosecute Harbhajan as a racist.
"The Australian has learned that Symonds told the team he wanted the matter to go away and that he wanted to talk to Harbhajan first. While his teammates waited, Symonds walked to the door of the Indian room a few metres away and asked for Harbhajan.
"After meeting the Indian bowler, Symonds went back to his teammates and said it had been worked out, man to man," the report said.
The Indian spinner was slapped with a three-Test ban when Australians complained to the umpires about Harbhajan's alleged monkey remarks during the Sydney Test.
The report further claims that the incident was brought to the notice of ICC Match Referee Mike Procter, who heard the charges against Harbhajan.
"At the code of conduct hearing, the Australians told match referee about the incident in Mumbai. Harbhajan denied it had happened. It is, according to the Indian, part of the complex fabric of lies woven by an Australian team who will lie, cheat and conspire to bring him undone," it said.
