Legendary bowler Clarence Parfitt has backed Sports Minister Dale Butler?s calls for St.George?s skipper Herbie Bascome to apologise for allegedly making xenophobic taunts during last month?s drama-filled Cup Match classic at Wellington Oval.

Bascome, currently overseas in Toronto with Bermuda?s Under 19 youth squad in the capacity of assistant coach, came under fire in the wake of the 104th summer classic which St.George?s won by 27 runs for verbally accosting Somerset?s Saleem Mukuddem and Wendell White.

Earlier this week Butler urged Bascome, who denied claims levelled against him, to follow in the footsteps of St.George?s colt George O?Brien Jr. and Somerset?s Stephen Outerbridge who publicly apologised for their second innings shenanigans last week on national television.

Speaking from his adopted homeland in Scotland, Parfitt stated: ?He?s got to be honest first of all and then he has to resign from coaching Bermuda?s Under 19 squad. He should not even be there.

?Had something like that ever happened to me over (in Scotland) then I would have been yanked as manager of a team right away. I certainly would not get away with it because the game comes first and not the individual.

?These guys think they can say and do whatever they want and get away with it. But that?s not the way the cookie crumbles. And I think the Board (Bermuda Cricket Board) should have sent another coach or manager (to Toronto) because this is not leading by example. It?s ridiculous and then you want to discipline kids as a coach . . . . it?s ridiculous.?

While Parfitt credited both O?Brien and Outerbridge for publicly apologising for the incident in which the latter allegedly spat on the bowler ? who then retaliated by punching the batsmen ? the former St.George?s star hopes Bascome will follow suit and that others found to be guilty of bringing the game at Wellington Oval into disrepute be held accountable for their on-field antics.

?Apologising is a start but you still have to deal with it because it?s an embarrassment to Bermuda,? Parfitt said.

?Because they apologised should not mean that?s the end of it let?s get on with it . . . no. You had young kids out there watching the match and what are they now going to think? They will probably think they can do the same thing too. They have to lead by example because they are role models for the kids coming up.

?The people that are running cricket in Bermuda have to deal with it. You have to suspend these people because it is just spoiling the country. ?There?s no respect for club, country or anybody else. It?s disgraceful and just ruins a big occasion when you have the whole of Bermuda and people from around the world watching.?

Parfitt said during his heyday the game was played ?hard but fair?.

?We never sledged each other or got personal like that . . . you just don?t do things like that,? he said.

?The game of cricket is supposed to be a beautiful game and not a game you need to sledge in order to win. You go out there and play hard and then come off the field and perhaps have a beer together afterwards.

?We played hard in the middle of the park and when we finished we sat down in the dressing room and had a laugh and chuckle about everything. ?Nobody sledged like they do now or spat at somebody. Things like that are disgraceful and I think the Board should be dealing with the matter and these guys be banned because apologising just isn?t enough.?

According to a Board spokesperson, the BCB is ultimately responsible for formulating and governing the laws of all cricket played in Bermuda and charged with encouraging an approach to the playing of cricket in Bermuda that reflects the cultural traditions and spirit of the game with particular reference to sportsmanship and conduct.

?The constitution of Bermuda Cricket Board deals with the situation quite clearly as it pertains to any matter that arise out of Cup Match insofar as it says that the respective clubs shall assume full responsibility. The Board are therefore waiting to receive full details of any actions taken by either of the clubs for all matters arising out Cup Match and will take such further action deemed appropriate at that time,? the spokesperson added.

?The BCB will ensure that objects prescribed in the constitution and the code of conduct will be fully enforced but it would be inappropriate to comment on specific allegations until the facts have been fully disclosed and appropriate disciplinary hearings have taken place.?

When contacted yesterday Bascome refused to speak to The Royal Gazette, however, St. George?s chairman of Cup Match selectors Lewis Foggo stated: ?Until we receive the official match report our hands are tied. But one thing we don?t act on is allegations and my captain has already offered a statement concerning the matter.?

Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) president George Francis confirmed post-Cup Match match reports had yet to be finalised.

?Their reports haven?t been completed,? he told The Royal Gazette. ?They?re working on them and they should be completed by the end of next week.?

Meanwhile, Somerset coach Winston Reid stated: ?Quite frankly I haven?t had a chat with the chairman (Anthony Bailey) as yet to find out if any action will be taken, if there?s any to be taken.?

Bailey could not be reached for comment yesterday.