Three-year cricket ban for man after offensive message written on fence at Blundstone Arena

A MAN has been banned from CA matches for three years after allegedly writing an offensive message on a fence at Blundstone Arena on day one of the Test match.

South African star batsman Hashim Amla in action at Blundstone Arena on Saturday. It is understood Amla was the subject of an offensive message written on a fence at the cricket ground. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A TASMANIAN man has been banned from Cricket Australia matches nationally for three years after allegedly writing an offensive message on a fence at Blundstone Arena on the first day of the Test match between Australia and South Africa.

The 25-year-old from Longford, in the state’s north, will also appear in court after being charged by summons for the alleged offence.

At 4.10pm on Saturday, Tasmania Police was alerted to an offensive message the man had allegedly written on one of the inside fences at Blundstone Arena.

It is understood the graffiti was about South African star batsman Hashim Amla.

“Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania can confirm a crowd behaviour issue that occurred on day one of the Commonwealth Bank Test Match against South Africa in Hobart,” a CA spokesman said.

“Tasmania Police identified the person of interest through CCTV and witnesses in the area. Cricket Australia has issued the person with a three-year ban from any Cricket Australia match, nationally.

“Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour at any of our matches, which includes racial vilification.

“Our message to any fan attending a match is that if you display anti-social behaviour you will be removed and risk being banned from any cricket match across Australia, as well as police action being taken.”

Tasmania Police said the message was witnessed by a small number of people nearby and was promptly removed.

Originally published as Three-year cricket ban for man after offensive message written on fence at Blundstone Arena