8 Jul 2022

Racism 'spotters' will be in crowd at England v India cricket match

From Morning Report, 6:39 am on 8 July 2022

Warwickshire will deploy undercover spotters for the second Twenty20 between England and India at Edgbaston after allegations of racist behaviour among members of the crowd during the fifth test this week.
                
A number of supporters said on Twitter they had been targeted by racist abuse from other fans at the Birmingham venue on Monday. The home side won the match by seven wickets to draw the series 2-2.
               
In addition to employing "undercover football crowd-style spotters", there will be enhanced police presence at Edgbaston for the game on Saturday.
            
The Bharat Army, India's official global supporters' group, later said many of its members had been targeted by "a very small minority", with the England and Wales Cricket Board saying they were "very concerned" by the reports.
              
The West Midlands Police have already launched an investigation into the incident.
          
English cricket was rocked by a racism scandal last year when former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq alleged that he had been a victim of institutional racism at the club.

RNZ sports reporter Joe Porter spoke to Morning Report.