14 Jan 2020

Two year ban for racial abuse of Archer

10:26 am on 14 January 2020

The man responsible for racially abusing England player Jofra Archer at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui has been banned from attending international and domestic cricket matches in New Zealand for two years.

England fast bowler Jofra Archer.

Jofra Archer. Photo: Photosport

Archer was targeted by racial abuse on the final day of the first Test between England and New Zealand in November.

A police investigation identified a 28-year-old Auckland man who admitted responsibility for the abuse.

He was issued with a verbal warning for using insulting language.

New Zealand Cricket have contacted the man advising of his ban from all international and domestic fixtures in New Zealand until 2022.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) however won't reveal the identity of the spectator.

Richard Boock of NZC said he's spoken to the man.

"He was very remorseful, accepting of the consequences, knew he'd done a stupid act and couldn't believe he'd been so silly..."

The man will become subject to further police action if he breaches the ban, NZC spokesperson Anthony Crummy said.

"We'd again like to extend our apologies to Jofra and the England team management for such an unsavoury incident and reiterate once more that this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable."

Spectators at all venues will be encouraged to notify ground security of any anti-social behaviour, including racist taunts and abuse, using NZC's text alert system, he said.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.