BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Police have launched an investigation after India fans claimed they were racially abused during England’s fifth Test victory in Birmingham.
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.
Police probe racism claims after fan abuse at England-India Test
https://arab.news/5tvzz
Police probe racism claims after fan abuse at England-India Test
- The Bharat Army said "many" of its members at the Edgbaston ground had been targeted by "a very small minority" in Monday's fourth day of play
- Inquiries are being made to identify an alleged offender whose image was circulated on social media
NBA legend Jordan, NASCAR settle anti-trust lawsuit
- Suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive operating without transparency, stifling competition and controlling the sport
- Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute
MIAMI: NBA legend Michael Jordan reached a settlement in his anti-trust case against NASCAR on Thursday, ending a federal lawsuit that had threatened to upend the sport.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit’s new charters, the rules which guarantee teams entry to races and share of prize money.
Front Row and 23XI alleged the charters were unfair and did not give the teams enough rights or money.
The suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive Jim France of operating without transparency, stifling competition, and controlling the sport in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
However in a joint statement issued on Thursday, the warring factions announced a settlement had now been reached which would see NASCAR issue an amendment to existing charter holders. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said in a statement.
“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans,” added Jordan, who had testified in court last week after the trial got underway.
“With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come,” Jordan said.
Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute.
NASCAR chief executive France said Thursday’s agreement ensured the future of the circuit for “generations to come.”
“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” France said.
“Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”
