Though it was in the Sydney Test in 2007-08 that the 'monkey-gate affair' came to the fore, it all started in Mumbai when Australia toured India for an ODI series. In the Mumbai ODI, was allegedly upset with Harbhajan Singh for calling him 'Monkey'.It was only in his den that Symonds took him on for this. At Sydney, while batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan had some exchange of words with Symonds who along with his teammates complained to the on-field umpires and later to the match referee. Symonds accused Bhajji of racially abusing him. Match referee Mike Proctor even slapped the Indian spinner with a three-match ban. The Indian team with the BCCI's backing protested. The series was on the verge of being called off when a special tribunal cleared Bhajji of all racism charges but fined him for using abusive language.