Cricket Australia clears fans ejected from SCG Test of racial abuse

Cricket Australia has handed in its report into the SCG Test after fans were evicted for allegedly abusing Indian players.

Mohammed Siraj makes a complaint to the umpire after he was allegedly abused by spectators. Picture: AFP

Six men ejected from the SCG Test match earlier this month have been cleared of hurling racial abuse from the stands.

A group of spectators were ejected from their seats by NSW Police, for allegedly making racist remarks directed at Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj on day four of the clash, but on Wednesday were cleared of any wrongdoing in a report by Cricket Australia.

However Cricket Australia confirmed that members of the Indian team had been subjected to racist taunts throughout the SCG Test, and an investigation is ongoing into that matter.

“CA confirms that members of the Indian cricket team were subjected to racial abuse,” said CA’s Head of Integrity and Security Sean Carroll.

“CA’s own investigation into the matter remains open, with CCTV footage, ticketing data and interviews with spectators still being analysed in an attempt to locate those responsible.

“Spectators who are found to have breached CA’s Anti-Harassment Code face lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police.

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“CA’s investigation concluded that the spectators filmed and/or photographed by media in the Brewongle Stand concourse at the conclusion of the 86th over on day four of the Test did not engage in racist behaviour.

“As stated at the time of the incident, CA has a zero tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms and, as hosts of the Border-Gavaskar series, apologises to the Indian men’s cricket team.”

Indian players with Australian captain Tim Paine after play was stopped following complaints of abuse. Picture: AFP

CA is still awaiting a final report from NSW Police.

As reported previously by News Corp, it’s understood the alleged perpetrators of abuse which occurred earlier on day three of the Test – an incident where fellow Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah was the target of alleged slurs – cannot be identified because the Indian team did not make the complaints until after play was finished.

However, Siraj stopped the match the following day when he heard taunts from the crowd – and Indian players considered walking off the SCG in protest if the fans were not removed from the stadium.

There is a fear that nothing will come of the police interviews into the incidents, because identifying alleged abusers is extremely difficult.