The Pakistan Cricket Board today said if Shoaib Akhtar feels he was racially
abused by coach Bob Woolmer, the speedster could sue him in court and seek
an apology and damages. 
"We have also read claims in newspaper reports that Woolmer
allegedly called Shoaib "Blacky" something which he (Woolmer) has
denied. But the way we look at it, Shoaib has the simple route of taking legal
action if he believes racists comments have indeed been made," a senior
board official said.
The `Dawn` newspaper had carried a report, quoting sources
close to Shoaib as saying that the fast bowler wanted a public apology from
captain Inzamam ul Haq and Woolmer for insulting and abusing him in South
Africa and had also threatened legal action against them.
However, Woolmer last Friday rubbished the claims that he had
racially abused Shoaib and said he was consulting his lawyers to take legal
action against the newspaper.
"As far as we are concerned, Woolmer has not reported
any such incident in his tour report. We are yet to study the report of team
manager, Talat Ali," he said.
Talat has been retained as manager for the world cup in the
West Indies.
The board official said if and when Shoaib did go to court
against Woolmer, than obviously the PCB would review its relationship with Woolmer
and assist the fast bowler.
"So far we have not heard or been told anything about this incident,"
the official said.
Woolmer`s contract with PCB expires at the end of June and
all indications are the board would not be offering him or his support staff
another contract.
The PCB on Saturday also accepted the resignation of South African trainer
Grant Compton, who was brought in by Woolmer to work at the National cricket
Academy in Lahore.
The board refused to negotiate new terms and a raise in fees for Compton for
his new contract.
"He will be leaving soon. His resignation has been accepted
and he has been told to clear his dues with the accounts and administration.
We wish him best of luck in his future assignments," said Saleem Altaf,
PCB director, cricket operations.
Sources said the board was not in favour of retaining Woolmer
as it felt he had lost his rapport and respect of many of the players in the
Pakistan team.
"Obviously the board doesn`t want to bring up this issue
at this stage before the World Cup," one source said.
The source said the board was also keen to see Inzamam take
his final bow from international cricket after the World Cup.
"The feeling is Inzamam is bringing negative vibes into the team and he
will also not be entertained after the tournament," he claimed.
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