Andrews Symonds was subjected to racial abuse during the 5th One Day International in India.
Like any cricketing centre in India, we would never tolerate this kind of behaviour," Makarand Waingankar, the chief executive of the local Baroda Cricket Association," said. "Racism should not exist in India at all.
"We are a cosmopolitan country, with many religions and dialects living peacefully together. This is the cultural city of Gujarat, and it would be a shame if that was to be spoilt by a few people." The fifth ODI was also marred during Australia's surge to victory when a section of the crowd pelted the playing area with bottles.
The ICC took measures to stamp out racism last year after the South Africa team complained of crowd abuse during their tour of Australia. Under the new code, spectators who are found guilty of racial abuse could face life bans and the venues are subject to fines and the loss of international status.
At least the Australians concentrated on the cricket as they smashed the Indians in the last game yesterday winning the series convincingly. I suppose it is fair in some ways given the Australian teams penchant and world class ability in sledging.
Sport seems to attract this kind of vile racism. Scottish football fans also have a strong track record in this department.
When Mark Walters first played for Rangers, a few (thousand) mindless Celtic fans dressed as chimps and threw bananas on the pitch.
Eighteen years later a vile minority of Airdrie supporters taunting Gretna’s Mathew Berkeley by donning Ku Klux Klan hoods.
There has to be line in the sand with this kind of stuff.
3 comments:
Completely right sir! I don't go to footie matches for the reason of the aggressive behaviour..
When the England football team played an East European side a couple of years ago (can't remember which, and won't slur the one I think it was in case it wasn't), the crowd managed the not inconsiderable feat of behaving much worse than the England supporters: they booed extremely loudly and made ape noises every time a black English player had the ball. John Motson was disgusted whilst doing the commentary. If I was the England captain I'd have refused to play in that country again.
Yep. I'm ashamed to say it's still fairly prevalent at football, along with rampant homophobia. Fair play to the authorities with their campaigns, i just don't know how you go about changing the mindset of some people.
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