NSW Police clear SCG fans over racially abusing India’s Mohammed Siraj

The six men were found not to have shouted racist slurs at India’s Mohammed Siraj, as the search continues for those responsible.

Mohammed Siraj stops play to make a formal complaint to Umpire Paul Reiffel about some spectators in the bay behind his fielding position during day four of the Third Test match. Picture: Getty Images

NSW Police have notified Cricket Australia that they have finalised their investigation into claims six fans subjected touring India bowler Mohammed Siraj to racial abuse during the Sydney Test and also cleared the men of any wrongdoing.

The men were escorted from their seats at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid accusations they were shouting racist slurs at Siraj on day four of the Test.

In a report handed up to the International Cricket Council this week, CA revealed its independent investigation into the incident had found that India players were indeed subjected to racial taunts – but that the six men removed from their seats were not responsible for it.

The investigation also revealed that India’s acting Test skipper Ajinkya Rahane was so incensed by the alleged racial abuse directed at his team that he told umpires on the field that they would not play until the ground of men were removed from the stands.

The ugly standoff, which delayed play by more than 10 minutes on January 10, occurred after Siraj complained he was targeted by racial abuse while fielding near the rope.

After directing the men from their seats, NSW Police interviewed them at the ground before they made the decision to leave the venue of their own accord.

Siraj later told Cricket Australia that he had been called a “brown dog” and “monkey” by spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

CA’s head of integrity & security, Sean Carroll, said that, while the governing body’s investigation found that India players had been racially abused, it had been unable to identify those responsible – but added that CCTV footage was still being reviewed in the hope of weeding out the racist spectators.

“Cricket Australia has submitted its report into crowd behaviour at the SCG during the third Test against India to the International Cricket Council,” he said.

“CA confirms that members of the Indian cricket team were subjected to racial abuse. 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.

“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.”

NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke informed CA on Wednesday afternoon that it had finalised its independent investigation and also found there was no evidence the six men ejected from their seats had engaged in any inappropriate behaviour.

“About 3pm on Sunday 10 January 2021, a cricketer indicated to match officials racially based comments had been made toward him (and) a number of males were spoken with at the time,” he said.

“Since 10 January, police have continued inquiries, speaking with several people allegedly involved as well as a number of witnesses who were present in the area at the time.

“No evidence to support any prosecution for any offence has been located; as such the police investigation has been finalised.

“However, should anyone possess information which would support any such allegation, that should be brought to that attention of police.”