Cricket Australia warns fans over racism
Cricket fans shouting racist remarks to players or other spectators will be booted out grounds, Cricket Australia has said.
The zero-tolerance policy was announced by the governing body shortly after South African officials made public an official complaint about the behaviour of a small group of fans in the WACA stands on Sunday.
"There is no place in Australian cricket for racism, whether it be on or off the field," said CA anti-racism officer Peter Young, also general manager of public affairs.
"Cultural diversity is one of global cricket's strengths and enduring characteristics, the spirit of cricket demands that the game be played and staged in a good spirit.
"CA wants all cricketers and cricket lovers to feel welcome wherever they play or attend international games."
The South Africans reported incidents of racial abuse and chants by the crowd directed at Ashwell Prince, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Justin Kemp and Makhaya Ntini during the third day of the match.
Security was stepped up at the South African's request for the remainder of the match to ensure no repeat of the unsavoury behaviour - and will remain at those levels for the rest of the series.
The Proteas' management had called for enforcement of the International Cricket Council's anti-racism rules, which also apply to spectators.
"We regard racial abuse in a very strong light," said CEO of Cricket South Africa Gerard Majola.
"We deplore in the strongest terms the racial abuse by some of the spectators against our players.
"We hope that this will not happen again, and appeal to all to abide by the ICC's anti-racism policy.
"We thank the relevant authorities for the assurance that the necessary protection for our players for the rest of the tour will be place."
Young said CA had liaised closely with the Western Australian Cricket Association after the complaints.
WACA security personnel were briefed about specific insults which might not be familiar to Australians but which are offensive to visiting players and instructed to take swift action against any offenders.
Other venues around Australia are being similarly briefed, Young said.
The ICC was also quick to condemn the racist comments.
Chief executive Malcolm Speed said that there was no place for racism in cricket.
"Cricket is an international game which is played by a diverse range of cultures and communities," Speed said.
"Respect for each other is a key component of the game and racist comments have no place in cricket.
"The fact that this is an isolated incident by a small number of people in one country does not lessen the games resolve to address the issue.
The ICC chief said that the world body had discussed the issue with CA and the United Cricket Board of South Africa.
"Cricket Australia has reaffirmed it's commitment to the ICC's Anti-Racism policy and has emphasised that it is taking the matter very seriously.
"It has also briefed the ICC on the steps that it is taking to deal with this issue and I would hope that all cricket fans in Australia will support Cricket Australia's efforts to avoid a repeat of this behaviour."
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