The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Indian fans complain of offensive chants

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 29, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Indian fans complain of offensive chants

Melbourne: Despite Cricket Australia’s (CA) repeated warnings, racism has reared its ugly head in the ongoing Boxing Day Test with the Indian supporters complaining of “offensive and ugly” chants being hurled at them by the local fans.

A Herald Sun report said that the Australian supporters shouted “Show us your visas, show us your visas” at the Indian fans. The visiting fans described the chant as “offensive, ugly and racist.”

Even some Australians found the chants racist. “That is racist,” a home supporter, Heath Robbins, was quoted as saying. “It is attacking a person’s country and they should be kicked out of the ground,” he said.

“Everyone feels offended when they are attacked on the basis of where they come from,” an Indian supporter, who did not wish to be named, was quoted as saying.

However, when the CA officials and police investigated the incident at the old Bay 13 section, they did not find any fan who had been offended.

Not reported

CA spokesman Peter Young said no action can be taken against those involved in the chant because it was not reported to the police or security.

“Police have confirmed that the chant took place and conducted extensive interviews with both the Indian and Australian supporters and they did not find anyone who was offended,” Young said.

“But, we urge anyone who considers the comments to be racist to report them to police and security staff. Racism is in the eye of the beholder,” he said. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport