Durban: South African batsman Herschelle Gibbstoday appealed against the two-Test ban imposed by the International CricketCouncil, claiming that he had not made any racist remarks during the first Testagainst Pakistanat Centurion.

Gibbs, who had earlier admitted making the comments which were caught by stumpmicrophones and televised around the world, said through his representativethat he had not 'transgressed' any rule of the ICC regarding racism.

"Gibbs says he has not made any racist remarks nor has he been racist toany one and therefore he has not transgressed any rule of the ICC regardingracism," Tony Irish, Secretary of the South African CricketersAssociation, said.

Irish said they were also concerned about stump microphones as these infringedon the privacy of the cricketers.

Gibbs could be available for the second Test since the ban is automaticallysuspended till his appeal is heard.

The hearing is expected to take place between the second Test, starting thisThursday, and the third, to be played the following week in Cape Town.

The public opinion, however, is that Gibbs, the first coloured player torepresent South Africa,is a role model and should have known better when making remarks againstPakistani supporters during the first Test last Sunday.