The Hair affair: how it unfolded

Australian umpire Darrell Hair withdrew his claim for racial discrimination against the International Cricket Council at an employment tribunal in London.

Hair has been at the centre of a row since he accused Pakistan of ball-tampering during the fourth Test against England at the Brit Oval in August 2006.

We detail the major events in the controversy:

2006:

August 20 - Pakistan forfeit fourth npower Test against England after refusing to play on following a five-run penalty imposed when Hair rules the tourists are guilty of ball-tampering.

August 21 - Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is charged with ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute by the ICC. The case is to be heard on August 25.

August 23 - ICC postpone Inzamam's hearing because senior match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who was due to chair the hearing, is unavailable for personal reasons.

August 25 - ICC reveal Hair offered to resign in exchange for US dollars 500,000. The offer was later withdrawn but ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed feels compelled to make the email public. ICC also confirm Pakistan and England will ensure the one-day series will go ahead.

August 28 - ICC cancel an emergency board meeting to discuss the matter, feeling it unnecessary.

October 5 - Umpire Billy Doctrove, who stood alongside Hair in the forfeited fourth Test at the Brit Oval, is overlooked as one of the officials for the ICC Champions Trophy.

November 4 - ICC confirm Hair will not be engaged for any further international matches for the remainder of his contract, which runs until March 2008.

2007:

January 18 - Stands for the first time since the Pakistan row in an Associates Tri-Series match between Canada and Scotland in Kenya.

February 7 - Hair confirms he is to begin legal proceedings against the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board, alleging racial discrimination.

February 25 - PCB confirm Hair has dropped his claim of racial discrimination against them.

October 1 - Hair’s employment tribunal with the ICC begins in London.

October 9 - Hair withdraws claim for racial discrimination.

2008:

March 18 - The ICC announces it will reinstate Hair as an elite panel umpire following a two-day board meeting.