Debasis Sen, Port Elizabeth: South African leg spinner Imran Tahir was verbally and racially abused by a cricket fan at the Wanderers during the Pink ODI on Saturday. A video circulated on social media featuring Tahir in an altercation with a fan has gone viral. Cricket South Africa in statement said:
“Cricket South Africa has noted and is aware of the circulation of video footage featuring Imran Tahir on social media and Whatsapp groups.
“Imran Tahir was verbally and racially abused by an unknown man during the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against India at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. Tahir reported the incident to the stadium security, and was subsequently accompanied by two security personnel to identify and to have the man ejected from the stadium. Tahir made no physical contact with the offender or any of the children in the vicinity. The incident is under investigation with the CSA and stadium security teams.
“In accordance with the ICC Anti-racism code, spectators who engage in racist conduct are to be ejected from the stadium and can face further sanctions and criminal prosecution.”
Imran was seen practising with the team today at the St. Georges Park. The leg spinner later bowled to AB de Villers and Heinrich Klaasen. He looked to be in jovial mood during practice.
According to Proteas manager Mohammad Mosajee, “My understanding from Imran’s perspective is that he was racially and verbally abused by a certain gentleman throughout the match. He reported to stadium security statitioned in front of the dressing room and two of the security personnel accompanied him to identify the perpetrator. But obviously when he got up there, there was some hostile verbal exchanges. And to neutralise the situation, they removed him from the scene and brought him back to the changing room. So that’s what we’ve been told.”
On being asked whether any fan has been traced for such an offence, the Proteas manager said, “According to what Imran said, it was an Indian fan.”
Watch: The clip of the incident that went viral on social media