Wessels found not guilty

Kepler Wessels has been cleared of making racist comments to two black players in the Eastern Province squad.

Lyall Meyer and Deon Carolus, the two players in question, accused Wessels of calling them animals at a practice session on October 23. However, Wessels denied the incident ever happened, and the charge was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Wessels, the former South Africa captain and coach, was cleared by a disciplinary tribunal of the Eastern Province Cricket Union. David Emslie, the EPCU chief executive, said: "We are awaiting the full judgement papers, but we know he has been found not guilty." Wessels's claim was also backed up by a third player, who said the comment had never been made.

The South African board, which last week ordered his suspension, decreed it will now be lifted. A statement read: "The UCB are satisfied that the correct procedure was followed in dealing with the allegations."