The Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council has been asked to investigate delays over an appeal after a cricket league banned two players for an on-field flare-up last year.

The Oxfordshire Cricket Association suspended East Oxford's Adnan Hamid until July after he admitted punching Minster Lovell player Ollie Smith during a Division 7 fixture last summer.

Mr Hamid was handed a half-season suspension, effective until July 9 this year while Mr Smith, who admitted making provocative remarks, was banned until May 21.

The secretary of East Oxford, Tayab Alam, said the club was not accusing the OCA of racism.

He said: "We brought in the Racial Equality Council as a neutral party, because we were frustrated by the OCA not being able to issue us a copy of the appeal guidelines.

"We contacted the England & Wales Cricket Board, but they just referred us back to the OCA.

"We are not here to create trouble, we just want to be on a level playing field."

He added: "Both players were wrong to do what they did, but we feel they should have received the same punishment."

The OCA's disciplinary secretary, Mick Belcher, confirmed he had received a letter from the Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council.

He claimed it contained several inaccuracies, including the length of the bans.

Mr Belcher said: "The letter the OCA has received says that we banned Mr Hamid for the whole season and Mr Smith for two matches.

"That is not the case. Mr Hamid was only banned for half a season, and that was due to a plea of leniency from Mr Smith.

"The OCA will be discussing the matter at our next committee meeting on Monday and until then I cannot make any further comment."

The Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council was not available to comment.