The International Cricket Council dismissed a story in The Times of India, alleging that it had acted outside its rules in the case of India captain Sourav Ganguly [Images].

The ICC [Images] said it was unfortunate the newspaper relied on an unidentified source and did not take the opportunity to check the allegation with the ICC.

Also read: ICC delivery on Ganguly legal

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed [Images] said on Tuesday the ICC's responsibility was to apply the rules that all countries had agreed to and it had done so.

"There was a full and considered debate involving all countries over the issue of slow over rates and all captains have been repeatedly made aware of the importance of maintaining the over rates.''

The newspaper on Tuesday said investigations revealed the clause under which Ganguly has been suspended was neither tenable nor applicable in this case.

'Sources close to the ICC confirmed the wrong rule was invoked while imposing the ban on Ganguly,' it added.

"The ICC's role is to apply the rules without fear or favour and this has been the approach taken in Mr Ganguly's case," said Speed.

"As he has done previously, Mr Ganguly exercised his right to appeal the suspension and the decision was reviewed by one of the world's foremost sports lawyers, Mr Michael Beloff QC, a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who found that the ICC Match Referee had acted properly in imposing the penalty that he did.

"In addition, at the request of Mr Ganguly, Mr Beloff reviewed his original determination with specific reference to Clause C1 of the ICC Code of Conduct which is the issue referred to in today's article. 

"Mr Beloff carefully considered all the arguments, including the suggestions made today and provided the ICC with a detailed 25 page judgment on the issue and in which he upheld the decision of the ICC Match Referee. A copy of the determination and the review has been provided to Mr Ganguly.

"It is therefore disappointing to see that a newspaper in India is prepared to rely on an unidentified and uncorroborated source and was not willing to contact the ICC to establish the facts of this matter before these unfounded allegations were published," said Speed.