Hair security not at risk - India

India insist Australian umpire Darrell Hair was not removed from the list of officials at the ICC Champions Trophy because of fears for his security.

The International Cricket Council said his safety was a worry after his role in the Pakistan ball-tampering row.

But Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah said: "There is no problem for any team or individual.

"We would have provided full security. I don't know why the ICC has cited security concerns in dropping Hair."

India had asked for the Australian umpire's exclusion earlier this week and Shah said on Tuesday "his presence could provoke the crowd".

But the BCCI official now insists his removal was nothing to do with a threat against Hair.

Hair himself said on Thursday that no threat had been made against him. We have nothing against the man but did not want any trouble during the tournament

And Shah added: "There are no security concerns in India. We have never said that Hair or any other umpire could face security problems.

"We had only expressed concern about the controversy surrounding him which could distract attention from the tournament - nothing more than that. "We have nothing against the man, but did not want any trouble during the tournament."

Pakistan do not want Hair to stand in any of their matches and say they complained about his "attitude" before the row at The Oval in August.

The tourists refused to return for the final session of the fourth day in protest and the match was awarded to England.