Racial slurs surface again

2006-01-04 21:32

Christo Buchner

Sydney - The racism in Australia to which the South African cricketers have been subjected to is like a dragon with nine heads - it is impossible to kill, just like the racial slurs keeps on resurfacing.

Andre Nel was again targeted for racist remarks at the SCG where the third and final Test is being played.

Just before tea he was labelled a "kaffir lover" by a group of spectators. Nel immediately went to the captain, Graeme Smith, and informed him of the slur.

Smith in turn informed the umpires, Bill Bowden and Aleem Dar.

The match umpire, Chris Broad, and the anti-corruption and safety manager of the ICC, John Rhodes, were all informed as well.

It seems however as if Cricket Australia, despite the fact that they said strict measures would be taken against spectators guilty of making racist remarks, is unable to control the situation.

Cricket Australia said last week that a spectator in Melbourne had been removed from the stadium because of racist remarks, but their star bowler Shane Warne has also been accused of a racial slur against Makhaya Ntini.

Cricket Australia did not take action against Warne.

As far as could be ascertained, the person or people responsible for shouting the racist remarks at Nel were not removed from the stadium on Wednesday. It was later reported that the security could not identify the perpetrator(s).

Disappointed and upset

The South African team management said in a statement released on Wednesday evening that they were disappointed and upset about the continued racist behaviour among some spectators at the Tests and again asked for proper security measures to protect the South African players.

The statement said the team management expected Cricket Australia and the ICC to condemn such behaviour and to do everything possible to put a stop to it.

The South African coach, Mickey Arthur said that such behaviour was very disappointing.

"Players accept that spectators are going to say things wherever they play, but when they exceed the borders of reasonableness and become racist, it becomes totally unacceptable and the strongest possible action should be taken.

"We put these incidents behind us and we do everything possible to ensure that it will not influence our level of play," the coach said.

Nel is one of the players targeted by the Aussie spectators. He is often booed, but even when they chant "Nel is a wanker", he keeps his cool and joins in the clapping. He also showes them to chant louder and holds his hand behind his ear.

"Even if they jeer him, I believe Nella has a love/hate relationship with the spectators. I think he will leave Australia as a very popular character, because numerous Aussies like what he does on the field," Arthur said.

The Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, said it was very disappointing to talk about racist statements rather than the game.

"We don't condone it at all and I think it should be eliminated once and for all. There is no place for something of this nature in the game. I urgently request the spectators to stop making racist remarks."

- Beeld