India superstar Virat Kohli wants “strict” action against any spectator found to have made racial slurs as the fall out from the SCG Test drama continues.
India made an official complaint to the ICC on Saturday night over alleged comments made to Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah on day three.
The situation then escalated further on Sunday when Siraj claimed more abusive comments had been made to him just before tea, stopping play for eight minutes.
The halt in play brought the issue to a head, with NSW Police and Cricket Australia launching separate investigations into the second incident.
“Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable,” Kohli tweeted.
“Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary Iines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour.
“It’s sad to see this happen on the field.
“The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once.”
While back in India awaiting the birth of his child, captain Kohli was one of several India players to speak on the incident.
Injured quick Mohammed Shami labelled the the ongoing issue as “disappointing” and also called for “strict” action.
Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin wants the matter to be dealt with using an “iron fist” and said the abuse of India players had been an issue his whole career in Sydney.
“If I take myself back to my first tour in 2011-12, I had no clue about racial abuse and how you can be made to feel small in front of so many people,” Ashwin said.
“And the people actually laugh at you when you get abused, I had no idea what this was about.
“When I stood at the boundary line, you wanted to stand another ten yards in to keep yourself away from these things.”
The SCG Trust are also investigating the matters, promising life bans for anyone found to have made racial remarks.
Australia coach Justin Langer said he was upset and disappointed by the situation, slamming anyone who felt they could abuse players in any sport.
He also stressed the value of his own education in the past year, with CA launching the ‘Reflect Forward’ campaign to combat racism.
Pat Cummins and Tim Paine have spoken publicly on their push for better education on Indigenous matters, via reading or talking about the topic.
Australia’s decision not to take a knee on last year was criticised at the time, however they have started the new tradition of a barefoot circle between each series.
“My personal journey has been huge,” Langer said on Sunday.
“I’ve just read a book called the Fatal Shore about the history of Australia. I’ve read Stan Grant’s book, Australia Day.
“I’ve obviously watched the Adam Goodes documentaries a couple of times over the past few months.
“It’s something the team has been looking (at). We’re exploring and learning and being educated.
“The more you get educated and the more you understand, the more sickening it is when you hear of racial discrimination as has been alleged today.”
Micko
Roar Rookie
What parliament???
Angela
Roar Rookie
It's called racism when the offending words are aimed at people who historically are viewed to have been 'victims'. It's not racism when the abuse is aimed at people who historically are viewed as being 'privileged'. Is this fair? Maybe it is. Maybe as a whole privileged folk have to suck it up and bend the knee to atone for the sins of our forebears. But for how long? Is there ever going to be an end point? Australia is not a racist country. All our institutions and laws are for everyone. People are not excluded from employment, schools, universities, health care etc on the basis of their race, however, like all countries we have dopey people who yell out stupid things at sporting events. They not a reflection of our country and I'm pretty tired of hearing how 'racist' we all are. If this is indeed true, why do people from all around the world want to come here to live? I'm sure the majority of sane Australians deplore racist comments being flung at sporting heroes but other than investigate the claims and deal with the offenders, I'm not sure what else can be done.
Dan Jackson
Guest
"When someone is yelling out things in the crowd, its fair enough to assume some racism is implied, without the need to prove it without all reasonable doubt. Surely." So wrong, like everthing else you have posted. Going by what your logic, yelling out "Good Ball" could be considered racist. Please stop posting, unless you really like embarassing yourself.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
That's why I mentioned minor property disputes. The difference between criminal and civil law is quite obvious to most. Although, the "innocent until proven guilty" crowd don't seem to get it. When someone is yelling out things in the crowd, its fair enough to assume some racism is implied, without the need to prove it without all reasonable doubt. Surely.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
What is your thoughts when Pakistan takes on India in the T20 World Cup next year? Any fans mentioning anything discriminatory or racial should be automatically ejected from the game & prosecuted? I don’t think we would have the resources!!
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Yes. It's called humour. You should try some sometimes
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Actually I was dating a girl about 15 years ago. Her parents emigrated from Italy in the 50s. Her parents level of english wasn't great but they were a really cool couple. Tongue in cheek her father told me he was okay with his daughter dating a convict boy. I didn't know what to say when he asked me if I had dated any wogs before? I told him chocky frog women were the best cooks, of course I have. He killed himself laughing & gave me a hug. It goes to show that all it's not always what you say, it's often the hate behind the words that is the crime. I suppose it's extremely difficult to get the right balance.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
A friend from work informed we that he attended an IPL game a couple of years ago. He told me that the crowd behaviour & comments being shouted at all players was very excessive & very derogative. It would not be tolerated in Australia. You would kind of wonder what kind of sympathy Dave Warner would gain from the Indian media & population if he submitted a complaint that a couple of fans were calling him e.g. “David Porner”?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
A friend from work informed we that he attended an IPL game a couple of years ago. He told me that the crowd behaviour & comments being shouted at all players was very excessive & very derogative. It would not be tolerated in Australia. You would kind of wonder what kind of sympathy Dave Warner would gain from the Indian media & population if he submitted a complaint that a couple of fans were calling him e.g. “David Porner”?
Morsie
Roar Rookie
An NZed judge, that makes it all ok then...........oops..........
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Today yabba would be behind bars.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Then you must live in a safe space.
nickbrisbane
Guest
I doubt we will be going to SA. They have just closed the borders until Feb 15.
Richie
Roar Rookie
You seem very sure. I’m just after facts. Were you there GW?
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
"Convicts" might be construed as derogatory but is not a racist term.
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
Did they deprive a young man his maiden test century with gamesmanship? No.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Mother Theresa herself wouldn't get a seat.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Whether they said anything along race lines or not, do you think Siraj thought Day 4, 10mins out from tea, let's waste 10minutes here and angle this game toward a draw?
Paul
Roar Guru
abuse is all about what the receiver feels and in this case Symonds is adamant he was abused, just as the Indian players say they were abused in Sydney. It makes zero difference what some judge found, this is not a court of law but an action one person believes happened. OJ Simpson didn't kill his wife either, just ask the court of law that acquitted him
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
This does seem to be an incredibly popular narrative going around, doesn't it? For the record, Symonds version of the story was never accepted during a formal hearing by an NZ High Court judge. In fact, Symonds always came across as someone with serious attitude issues. His issues with alcohol and indiscipline were well documented during his career. It was Harbahjaan, in fact, who was initially abused by Symonds - a fact that was plainly noted by Justice Hansen in his verdict.