Melbourne: Australian umpire Darrell Hair virtually dismissed allegations of racial bias leveled against him and was prepared to accept if the Friday enquiry proves anything against him.
In his first comments on the controversy following the sensational forfeiting of the fourth and final Test by Pakistan following charges of ball tampering, he strongly defended his action.
He said, "People who know me and the sort of person I am know I would not take action unless I really thought it was necessary."
About criticism from the sub-continent, he said, "That is not something that is an issue for me, there is no problem with me and the sub-continent. I have umpired quite a lot in the sub-continent over the last couple of years and when the ICC have asked me to do a job I try and do it to the best of my ability."
"I have always taken a lot of pride in my performance and while I am doing the best job I possibly can I am going to continue."
"I stand by what I have done, but if anything comes out at the inquiry that proves me incorrect I would accept that too. The process would have been followed," he added.
Hair said he cannot be forced out of his job and would face any fight in this regard.
"If other people have issues they want to use to force me out it will be an interesting battle," he said.
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