JOHANNESBURG, Nov 19: The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) has instructed Eastern Province to suspend Kepler Wessels as coach after he was alleged to have made racist remarks earlier this year.

“The board ... instructed Eastern Province to suspend the coach of the EP Jumbos Kepler Wessels on full pay pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing which will be held shortly regarding allegations of racist remarks allegedly made by Wessels,” the UCBSA said in a statement.

Former South Africa captain Wessels, who also played Test cricket for Australia, told Reuters: “I demand the investigation take place as soon as possible.

“The matter is in the hands of my legal advisors and we will fight it all the way. I am looking forward to the outcome.”

UCBSA spokesman Gerald de Kock said the case would be heard in the next few days.

No further details of the alleged incident or comments were available.

Left-handed opener Wessels, 46, played 40 Tests for Australia and South Africa, scoring 2,788 runs at an average of 41.00 including six centuries and a highest score of 179.—Reuters