Board of Control for Cricket in India media release:

The Disciplinary Committee of the BCCI, comprising President Mr. Sharad Pawar, President-Elect Mr. Shashank Manohar, and Vice-President Chirayu Amin, met at the Cricket Centre earlier today, to discuss the report of the Board-appointed Commissioner Mr. Sudhir Nanavati.

Harbhajan Singh was called before the Disciplinary Committee.

A copy of the report was given to him, which was heard by the Committee. The player admitted his guilt in the concerned matter. He prayed for leniency and assured the Committee that there would not be any misconduct on his part in the future.

The Committee invoked Rule 3.2.1 of the BCCI Regulations for Players, Team officials, Managers, Umpires and Administrators. Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be meted out to a player is 'a ban upto a maximum of 5 ODIs and / or 3 Test matches.

The Committee accordingly decided to ban Mr. Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals, starting today (14th May 2008), and further observed that any further instance of misconduct will invoke a life ban.