KARACHI, Feb 16: Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer on Friday threatened legal action against Dawn for accusing him of making racist remarks against paceman Shoaib Akhtar.

The daily, quoting unnamed sources, reported on Friday that Woolmer called Shoaib “blacky” during a heated debate with the fast bowler in the second Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

Shoaib took 4-36 on the first day of the Test but was unable to continue after tearing a hamstring muscle, an injury that provoked a verbal confrontation between him and Woolmer.

Shoaib was fined 2,500 dollars for misbehaving with the coach and was sent back home.

In an email to AFP the Pakistani team coach said: “I deny calling Shoaib anything or what is attributed in the newspaper.

“I would never do so as a coach and I have already spoken to my solicitors regarding suing the paper. Such stories aim at distracting our focus for the World Cup,” said Woolmer, who has had an uneasy relationship with the paceman since he took over as coach in July 2004.

The newspaper said the alleged incident occurred in the presence of captain Inzamam-ul Haq and other team players.

“Unless Inzamam and Woolmer tender an apology in public, Shoaib is willing to pull out of Pakistan's squad for the World Cup,” the report said.