Race watchdogs are investigating the Costcutter York and District Senior Cricket League's handling of the now infamous Dunnington Cricket Club row.

The Commission For Racial Equality (CRE) has launched an investigation after complaints about the league's treatment last year of demoted Dunnington and their suspended fast bowler Joseph Grant.

Dunnington were voted back into the fold of the league in October, two months after being sensationally suspended and told they would need to seek re-election for failing to accept suspensions issued to West Indian paceman Grant.

Now former Dunnington secretary Brian Smith has cut all ties with the club to take up with the CRE what he claims was unfair treatment by the league.

A spokeswoman for the CRE today confirmed a complaint had been lodged with the organisation and it was being investigated.

She refused to comment, however, on what powers were open to the watchdog should it discover any case to answer.

Costcutter League secretary Albert Pattison said the league were aware of the complaint and were taking legal advice.

Current Dunnington secretary Gary Andrew declined to comment on the latest development.

Smith, who with then club chairman Colin Graves attended the extra-ordinary meeting when member clubs voted unanimously to suspend Dunnington, said he felt "humiliated" at that meeting and the club was not allowed to give their side of the story.

"If you are given a fair, democratic hearing then you accept your punishment but we weren't and that is not right," claimed Smith.

"I do not want this to go through to its full conclusion because that could be very costly to the York and District Senior Cricket League.

"We are not after compensation, but Joe Grant cannot play again until May and I do not think it is fair Dunnington have been relegated."

The ban came into effect just as Dunnington were on the verge of lifting the Premier Division championship to complete a league and cup double.

Clifton Alliance, in second-place when Dunnington were suspended, went on to take the championship.

Despite now being allowed back into the league, Dunnington were told they must start this season in division one after being relegated as part of their punishment while their second team will start in division four after being relegated from division two.

In August, the club demanded a new appeal hearing for Grant, who had been banned by the disciplinary committee of the league.

The club claimed he was denied a fair hearing by the committee, and at a subsequent appeal against the sentence.

The suspension, which still stands, means the Bradford-based bowler will not be eligible to play again until May 26.

Grant was handed a six week ban for the use of foul language and unacceptable behaviour towards a spectator in a match against Thirsk on May 22 last year.

He was also warned as to his future conduct and handed a further three week ban for use of foul language and violent behaviour culminating in the destruction of a chair following a match against Easingwold on May 29.

Grant accepted the suspension received for his behaviour at Easingwold.

But Grant and Dunnington said the committee largely ignored his claims that he only reacted at Thirsk because of racial abuse suffered during the match from an opposing player.

He appealed against the sentence, but it was upheld by the Costcutter League's disciplinary appeals committee.

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