The cricketing world has reacted strongly to allegations of racist abuse of the India team from sections of the crowd in the third Test against Australia after six people were ejected and play halted for nearly 10 minutes on Sunday.
The International Cricket Council probe followed Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah apparently being targeted while they fielded by the boundary ropes of the Sydney Cricket Ground late on Saturday.
Sydney Test: Play halted at SCG, fans evicted from stands after complaints from Indian players
In a second incident, play was halted just before the tea break on Sunday when Siraj ran from the fine leg boundary towards the umpires, pointing into the crowd.
It was not immediately clear what had been said, but six men were seen being removed from their seats and Cricket Australia said a number of spectators had been interviewed by police before they were thrown out.
“While we await the outcome of the investigation by NSW Police, CA has launched its own inquiry into the matter,” said CA’s head of integrity and security Sean Carroll, calling the episode “regrettable”.
However, two spectators near the incident told the Sydney Morning Herald nothing racist was said.
Here are some reactions to the unfortunate turn of events:
“The International Cricket Council has strongly condemned reported incidents of racism during the ongoing third Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground and have offered Cricket Australia all necessary support in investigating the incidents,” the apex body said in a statement.
ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney reiterated the ICC’s zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind.
“There is no place for discrimination in our sport and we are incredibly disappointed that a small minority of fans may think that this abhorrent behaviour is acceptable.
Cricket Australia earlier issued an apology to India and said anyone found guilty of abuse would face consequences, including bans, other sanctions and referral to police.
“Cricket Australia condemns in the strongest terms possible all discriminatory behaviour,” said Carroll.
“If you engage in racist abuse, you are not welcome in Australian cricket. CA is awaiting the outcome of the International Cricket Council’s investigation into the matter reported at the SCG on Saturday. As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent.”
Australian coach Justin Langer said such antics had no place in sport. “It’s upsetting and it’s disappointing,” he said.
“Anybody who knows me, knows I’ve said for years one of my greatest pet hates in life is that people think they can come to a sporting event, pay their money and think they can abuse or say whatever they like. I’ve hated it as a player, I hate it as a coach. We’ve seen it in different parts of the world and I’m really sad to see it happen in Australia.”
Veteran spinner Ashwin Ravichandran said it was not the first time there had been issues for India in Sydney.
“This is my fourth tour to Australia and Sydney, especially, we have had a few experiences here in the past,” he said, describing them as “nasty”.
“But this is the time where they have gone one step ahead and used racial abuses. It’s definitely not acceptable in this day and age... we must make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Only 10,000 fans – a quarter of the capacity – have been allowed into the Sydney Cricket Ground each day due to coronavirus concerns, making their chants and shouts more clearly heard.
(With inputs from AFP)
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