I'm grateful that my name has finally been cleared: Smith on the final verdict

Former South African skipper and CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith has expressed a sigh of relief after he was cleared of all the racism charges levied against him.

Smith was cleared of racism charged during an independent arbitration process following the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) commission report, which had accused the former Proteas skipper of indulging in racial discrimination-

Against former wicketkeeper-batsman Thami Tsolekile, who didn’t find a place in the national team between 2012-and 2014 despite being centrally contracted.

Against the black leadership of Cricket South Africa after it emerged that he allegedly refused to work with then CEO Thabang Moroe.

In the appointment of his former teammate Mark Boucher over Enoch Nkwe as the head coach of the Proteas men’s team in 2019.

Following an independent review, the arbitration ruled that there isn’t sufficient evidence confirming that Smith indulged in such practices during his term as captain and director of cricket.

After getting vindicated, Smith released an official statement where he said that he is grateful that his name has finally been cleared of racism charges while adding that he has always given his best to South African cricket.

"I'm grateful that my name has finally been cleared. I've always given South African cricket my utmost, as a player, captain, and administrator, over the last 20 years. So, to hear these baseless allegations of racism being made has been extremely difficult, both for me and my family," Smith said in a statement. 

"It has been exhausting and distracting, not least because South African cricket has also been going through a well-publicised rebuilding process which has required a lot of attention,’’ he added.

"I'm just pleased that we have now gone through a robust arbitration process before independent, objective arbitrators, and I have been completely vindicated," the 41-year-old further added.

Meanwhile, Smith’s tenure as CSA director of cricket has already expired. Under his leadership, South African men’s and women’s teams fared decently well, and CSA was able to conduct a full-fledged home season recently despite the global pandemic. But, with him showing no interest in pursuing the role further, CSA will be advertising for the post in the coming days.