Mike Denness and Indian cricket team incident

The severity of Denness's punishment to an unprecedented six players was viewed by the India media as motivated by racism, outraged the general public and remains controversial to this day.

In addition to forfeiture of a certain percentage of their match fees, the following suspensions were handed to the Indian players: Denness was heavily criticised for failing to explain his actions at the press conference announcing the punishments.

The matter was raised in the Indian parliament, the popular press termed Denness a racist, and the ICC was accused of discriminating against the emerging Third World.

[11] The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) threatened to call off its tour of South Africa unless Denness was replaced as match referee for the third Test, scheduled for 23–27 November at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) supported Denness[12] but the South African board sided with the BCCI's position[13] and the two teams played an "unofficial" Test instead.

Denness, who was not even allowed to enter the stadium, was replaced as match referee by the South African Denis Lindsay.