Sydney, Feb 27 Cricket Australia (CA) today charged Australian opener Matthew Hayden with a breach of its Code of Behaviour for making offensive remarks against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh in a radio interview.

The burly Australian cricketer was charged under Rule 9 of the CA Code of Behaviour, which prohibits detrimental public comment, a CA release said.

"Rule guidelines prohibit public denigration of other players against whom they have or will play," it said.

CA will appoint a Code of Conduct Commissioner from its panel and convene a hearing at 8pm (3.30 pm IST) today.

Hayden, who has been an active participant in the on-field bickerings that have marred India's current tour of Australia, called Harbhajan an "obnoxious little weed" and also challenged young paceman Ishant Sharma to a boxing bout during his interview to 'Brisbane Radio' yesterday.

"It's been a bit of a long battle with Harbhajan, the first time I ever met him he was the same little obnoxious weed that he is now", Hayden said The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held by the CA in Melbourne this morning to discuss if Hayden had breached rules.

The Cricket Board has the authority to stop its contracted player from commenting on television, radio or print if it feels that it is not in good taste about an opposition players or Board. (Agencies)