SYDNEY: Australia’s first foreign-born coach Mickey Arthur yesterday confirmed he was suing Cricket Australia for racial discrimination after being dumped from the job, while blasting the leaking of explosive case details to the media.
The South African was axed just 16 days before the first Test against Ashes-holders England at Trent Bridge this month and replaced by former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann.
His Australian-based lawyers said proceedings were filed with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) last week “on a number of grounds for being sacked and scapegoated”.
“The grounds include racial discrimination,” Harmers Workplace Lawyers and Arthur said in a statement.
Reports said Arthur, fired two years before his contract was due to expire, was seeking up to Aus$4m ($3.69m) in compensation, claiming he was discriminated against because he was South African and “didn’t understand the Australian way”.
According to Australian broadcaster Channel Seven, the legal documents reveal a major feud in the team between captain Michael Clarke and former vice-captain Shane Watson.
Arthur also reportedly claimed it was opener Watson who informed him of a nightclub incident in Birmingham, when sacked David Warner punched England’s batsman Joe Root during the Champions Trophy last month.
Arthur flew back to Australia from England immediately after the decision, learning in transit that his mother had died. REUTERS
