Slapgate controversy: 'Harbhajan is a good friend' - Match referee for infamous MI vs PBKS match breaks silence

Farokh Engineer was the match referee for the game in which the infamous slap by Harbhajan Singh on S Sreesanth happened (Images via Getty Images & Screengrabs)

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Poll Do you think the release of the 'Slapgate' footage was necessary? Yes, it's important for transparency No, it reopens old wounds

Seventeen years after the infamous “Slapgate” incident from the inaugural IPL season, former India wicketkeeper and match referee for that game, Farokh Engineer , has voiced his surprise at the sudden release of footage from the altercation.The 2008 contest between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab is remembered for Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth during post-match interactions. Harbhajan, who was captaining MI that night, was banned for the remainder of the season after being pulled away from the scene by teammates. Sreesanth, playing for KXIP, had contributed two wickets in his side’s 66-run win.Recently, former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi shared the official video of the incident while speaking on Michael Clarke’s podcast, bringing the controversy back into focus.Engineer, who was in charge of proceedings as match referee that evening, said he was taken aback by the development. “I’m surprised that the footage has emerged after all these years. As match referee for that particular match, I maintained confidentiality throughout and didn’t speak about the contents of the incident even to the best of my friends in the media,” he told Mid-Day.Reflecting further, he added that the matter should be left in the past.“I had a job to do as match referee and I believe I did it (well) with dignified silence. It’s a thing of the past and I’m sure both players have long buried their differences. Like many other things in cricket, it was done in the heat of the moment. Harbhajan is a good friend. We move on.”The resurfacing of the clip has already stirred reactions, with Sreesanth’s wife calling it an unnecessary reopening of old wounds. Engineer’s remarks, however, highlight the approach taken at the time, where the focus was on dealing with the incident firmly but quietly, and respecting the players involved.

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