Accusations of racism against Oxfordshire Cricket Association over the way it dealt with an on-the-pitch punch-up have been dropped.

The Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council will not be investigating the disciplinary action taken by the association against an Asian cricketer.

As reported in the Oxford Mail in January, the council believed East Oxford Cricket Club wanted it to look into claims the OCA had been racist when it punished their player Adnan Hamid for punching Minster Lovell's Ollie Smith. Mr Hamid was suspended from cricket until July 9 by the OCA for punching Mr Smith during a match on August 30 last year. Mr Smith, who admitted making provocative remarks to Mr Hamid, was suspended until May 21.

In our report, East Oxford club secretary Tayab Alam denied accusing OCA of racism. After reading the story, Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council director John Sailsman became concerned and wrote to Mr Alam to ask what was going on.

Mr Alam later withdrew his complaint.

Mr Sailsman said: "He has since withdrawn that claim, and as we have received no other complaint of racial discrimination made against the OCA, we have seen fit not to proceed further."

As reported in the Mail, the council believed the disparity in the length of the bans was due to racism, but the OCA has revealed Mr Hamid's suspension was longer than Mr Smith's because he committed a more serious offence.

OCA disciplinary secretary Mike Belcher said: "It is incredible that anybody can believe that striking someone with your fist is the same as using a word."

Mr Hamid appealed against his ban, which was imposed in November. OCA officials, outraged by the racism allegations, refused to go ahead with the appeal but have relented now the accusations against it have been dropped. A hearing date will be set later this month.

Mr Alam was not available for comment.