Disciplinary hearing against Mark Boucher put off until May

Disciplinary hearing against South Africa head coach Mark Boucher has been put off till May this year, the chairperson of the hearing announced on Tuesday (February 1). Bucher faces charges of racism which was established in the SJN hearings, which he too has admitted and apologised for.

However, depending on the outcome of the hearing, he could lose his job with Cricket South Africa, among other punishments. Advocate Terry Motau said in a statement that he had decided to hold the hearing from May 16 to 20 after considering arguments submitted by Boucher's legal team, who intend to call current South African players to testify in his defence.

Initially, the hearings were to be held between March 7 and 11 after the Proteas' tour of New Zealand but ahead of Bangladesh's visit, which is scheduled to start from March 18.

The disciplinary hearing against South African head coach Mark Boucher has been postponed until May, the chairperson of the hearing announced on Tuesday. Boucher faces charges of racism, laid by Cricket South Africa, which could result in his dismissal.

Advocate Terry Motau said in a statement that he had decided to hold the hearing from May 16 to 20 after considering arguments submitted by Boucher's legal team, who intend to call current South African players to testify in his defence.

Motau said CSA had wanted the hearings to be held between March 7 and 11 – after a South African tour of New Zealand but before an incoming tour by Bangladesh, which is due to start on March 18.

"On behalf of Mr Boucher, it was indicated that he intends to call some of the players to testify on his behalf," said Motau, who accepted the argument that holding the hearings between the two tours could be disruptive.

The allegations against Boucher, announced last month, followed hearings last year into discrimination in cricket. Boucher was accused by former teammate Paul Adams of leading a song that had racially derogatory wording in fines meetings after matches while they were playing.

CSA announced that the inquiry would also consider concerns and allegations that arose following the resignation of former assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe. It is also alleged that Boucher failed to deal effectively with a controversy over "taking the knee" in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Following the announcement of the charges against Boucher, South African media have reported that the former Test wicketkeeper will be backed financially by a group of rich South African businessmen, who were reportedly "outraged" by the charges levelled against the coach.

(With inputs from AFP)