Melbourne, Feb 28 Australian media today projected Matthew Hayden's "obnoxious weed" remark on Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh as nothing more than a "foolish" comment which could aggravate the already tense relationship between the two teams.

Hayden was let off with just a reprimand by Cricket Australia for the comment on Brisbane radio and the local media defended it saying it was neither rude nor racist.

"Matthew Hayden was charged for simply saying what most Australians feel about Harbhajan Singh. What is wrong with calling Harby an obnoxious little weed? It's not racist, it's not all that rude and it's certainly not bad for the game," 'The Daily Telegraph' wrote.

'The Australian' newspaper only described Hayden's comments as "foolish" for openly expressing "what many in the (Australian) team think about Harbhajan.

"While it was meant to be a light-hearted radio interview, Hayden's lack of diplomacy has poured petrol on a bushfire and has given the Indians something substantial to complain about." Melbourne's 'Herald Sun' made a scathing attack on Harbhajan, though it also made the point that Hayden was no angel.

"It's no surprise Harbhajan Singh is right in the middle of the latest storm. He is a despised character in the Australian dressing room, but it doesn't bother the fiery spinner.

"He thrives in this combustible atmosphere. While it's not always clear whose side of the story to believe, Harbhajan is always entertaining listening," it wrote. (Agencies)