Cricket umpire Darrell Hair withdrew his claim of racial discrimination against the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday.
The Australian umpire, who is white, had taken his case to an employment tribunal in London, saying his race was the reason that cricket's world governing body had banned him from officiating in top-level matches.
Hair dropped his claim three days before a ruling was expected, sparing either side the embarrassment of losing the case.
"Darrell Hair withdraws unconditionally his allegation of racial discrimination against the ICC Board, members and staff," said Robert Griffiths, Hair's lawyer. "Mr. Hair has undertaken to work with ICC management in accordance with the rehabilitation program over the next six months."
The ICC will meet in March and discuss whether to reinstate Hair as a Test umpire.
Hair was banned in November because of his conduct during a Test between Pakistan and England three months earlier at The Oval that led to the first forfeit in Test cricket's 129-year history.
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