Majola: SA could boycott Aus

2006-01-29 21:37

Christo Buchner

Perth - Future South African cricket tours to Australia could be boycotted as a result of racist remarks against captain Graeme Smith and company on the present tour.

This was the message from Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola on his arrival in Australia.

Majola has confirmed that it is not an idle threat and that he and SA cricket are very serious that urgent steps have to be taken to stop the flood of racist remarks hurled at the team.

It started here in Perth in the first Test when the South African players were jeered with words such as "kaffir" and "kaffir lover".

Majola said: "We consider it a very serious matter and if it continues, we definitely will give serious consideration to not touring this country in future.

"It is a pity that it was not limited to just one city or state, but it occurred throughout the country.

'The Aussies weren't there'

The only place where racist remarks have not been made is in Adelaide, where South Africa played their previous match against Sri Lanka.

After that match Smith said with a smile: "Things went without a hitch, on and off the field, because the Aussies weren't here."

Majola says he will support his players in whatever they decide to do if they are exposed to racism again.

The players recently threatened to walk off the field if racist remarks were made again.

"I haven't talked to the players about this yet, but if this continues and takes a turn for the worse, I'll support their decision," said Majola.

Security will be tightened

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, in a fax to Cricket South Africa, said the Proteas had been the most-competitive team to tour Australia in the past decade. They also were the most well-behaved.

"It's good to hear these things and it's a feather in the cap for our players and SA cricket," said Majola and coach Mickey Arthur.

Cricket Australia also emphasised that security for South Africa's match against Sri Lanka at the Waca on Tuesday would be tightened.

West Australian officials are desperate not to have a recurrence of last month's incident in the first Test.

The CEO of West Australia's Cricket Board, Tony Dodemaine, said immediate and strict action would be taken against any spectator who made racist remarks.

Shouted in Afrikaans

"We realise it's a sensitive matter for the South Africans and we believe there is no place for racism in our society.

"Australia, itself, has a sensitive past regarding this."

Many of these remarks have been shouted in Afrikaans, creating the impression that it is former South Africans who have settled in Perth.

Dodemaine said: "I think it will be self-defeating if spectators continue with racist remarks, regardless of all the warnings. We will have no sympathy."

- Beeld