BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom — Police have launched an investigation after
India
fans claimed they were racially abused during England’s fifth Test victory in
Birmingham.
اضافة اعلان
The Bharat Army,
the official India supporters’ club, said “many” of its members at the
Edgbaston ground had been targeted by “a very small minority” in Monday’s
fourth day of play.
A post on the
group’s Twitter account read: “Sad to say many of our members experienced
racist abuse from a very small minority of individuals. We will work with
@Edgbaston to share all your feedback.
“Thank you to those
England fans who stood by us.”
West Midlands
Police on Tuesday said they were liaising with officials at Edgbaston to
understand what happened.
Inquiries are being
made to identify an alleged offender whose image was circulated on social
media.
The England and
Wales Cricket Board said: “We are very concerned to hear reports of racist
abuse at today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston,
who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket.”
Stuart Cain, chief
executive at Edgbaston, added: “I’m gutted by these reports as we’re working
hard to make Edgbaston a safe, welcoming environment for all.
“Having seen the
initial tweets, I’ve spoken personally to the gentleman who raised them and
we’re now speaking to the stewards in this area to establish what happened.
“Nobody should be
subject to any form of abuse at Edgbaston. So, once we’ve got all the facts, we
will make sure this issue is addressed swiftly.”
Former Yorkshire
spinner
Azeem Rafiq retweeted a thread detailing some of the alleged incidents
along with the comment: “Disappointing to read.”
His evidence to a
parliamentary select committee last year sparked an investigation into his
claims of institutional racism at Yorkshire which resulted in ECB charges and
major reforms.
England won the fifth Test on Tuesday’s final day after
centuries from Yorkshire pair
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.
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