The thrilling ongoing India vs England Test at Edgbaston has been marred by a shocking racism incident with several Indian fans being targeted.
The rescheduled fifth India vs England has been rocked by a racism incident on day four of the game after some Indian fans claimed they suffered racist abuse. The matter came to the fore after several Indian supporters took to social media to describe the horrific incident at Edgbaston.
One of the supporters posted on Twitter, “women were literally in tears” due to the incident. The supporter also clamed that they received no help from the stewards and were instead asked to sit down.
Anil Sehmi, who is the official dhol (drum) player for the Bharat Army, took to Twitter to share the vile story. He revealed that he and his fellow Indian supporters were called c**ts and P**i b******ds.
“Racist behaviour at Edgbaston towards Indian fans…People calling us Curry c**ts and P*** b******ds,” wrote Sehmi.
“We reported it to the stewards and showed them the culprits at least ten times but no response and all we were told is to sit in our seats,” he added.
Racist behaviour at @Edgbaston towards Indian fans in block 22 Eric Hollies. People calling us Curry C**ts and paki bas****s. We reported it to the stewards and showed them the culprits at least 10 times but no response and all we were told is to sit in our seats. @ECB_cricket pic.twitter.com/GJPFqbjIbz
— Trust The Process!!!! (@AnilSehmi) July 4, 2022
In another tweet, Sehmi tagged Azeem Rafiq and urged him to spread the message. Last year, Rafiq had raised allegations of racist abuse, bullying and harassment at Yorkshire. Sehmi revealed that the women were in tears when some England supporters threatened the Indian supporters.
@AzeemRafiq30 please can you spread this message. We had women literally in tears when @ECB_cricket fans were threatening us. Slitting there throats looking at us calling us all sorts of names. https://t.co/fePYybik4T
— Trust The Process!!!! (@AnilSehmi) July 4, 2022
Another fan, Kushal Malde tweeted about the incident too before making his Twitter profile private. Malde stated that he and others had endured “some of the worst abuse we’ve ever experienced at a match”.
“Some disgusting racism (‘you smelly P***s’ for example). The stewards actually told the Indian fans to sit down whilst allowing the abuse to go ahead,” he wrote.
Warwickshire to investigate racism incident at India vs England Test:
Following the allegations by the Indian supporters, Warwickshire and ECB have decided to investigate the matter. Expressing their concerns over the shocking incident, ECB stated that Warwickshire will investigate the matter.
“We are very concerned to hear reports of racist abuse at today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket. Edgbaston has been working hard to create a safe and inclusive working environment,” the ECB added in a statement.
We are very concerned to hear reports of racist abuse at today's Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) July 4, 2022