Tahir in racial incident at Wanderers
PROTEAS team manager Mohammed Moosajee said yesterday an investigation had been launched after an Indian fan was ejected from the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday after allegedly racially and verbally abusing Imran Tahir.
The alleged incident happened during the “Pink” fourth one-day International (ODI) between South Africa and India which the Proteas won.
A video surfaced on social media showing leg-spinner Tahir in an altercation with an “unknown fan”.
“My understanding from Imran’s perspective is that he was racially and verbally abused by a certain gentleman throughout the match‚” said Moosajee.
“He reported to the stadium security who were stationed in front of the dressing room. Two of the security personnel accompanied him to identify the perpetrator.
“But obviously when he got up there were some hostile verbal exchanges. To neutralise the situation they removed him and brought him back to the change-room.
“That’s what we’ve been told. There were definitely no children involved in the incident as has been reported on social media.”
Moosajee said an investigation had been put in place by Cricket South Africa to determine the finer details of the incident. “The fans who were sitting there were across between both. According to what Imran said it was an Indian fan.
“We just want to get an idea from the stadium security perspective‚ their input into what happened. Once we have an understanding of that then we will be able to have a better understanding of things.”
Asked if Tahir faced possible sanction‚ Moosajee said: “No‚ not at all. From his side‚ he has not done anything untoward.
“He had reported it to the stadium security and he was up there just to identify the suspect.”
An earlier statement from CSA read: “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.”
South Africa and India square off in the fifth ODI at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth today. India lead the six-match series 3-1.