Symonds speaks up for Murali

[The Sean]

While I think that the level of racism in Australia seems to be exaggerated somewhat, I won't begin to deny that it exists. There is sadly a vocal, drunken minority (and that is what it is, a minority) who for reasons in their minds that are completely incomprehensible to me, think that racial abuse is acceptable, or equally ignorantly, somehow think that friendly banter and racism are interchangeable. I've only experienced it once personally, at the Australia v RoW Test in Sydney in 2005 when a group of Indian fans were abused by a few drunken Aussies (who had been p***ing everybody in their vicinity off all day) and a mate and I almost got into a fistfight with them when we stepped in on the part of the Indian fans. What impressed me most about the situation was that virtually everyone within earshot reacted with extreme hostility to these yobs posing as cricket fans and they were ejected from the ground immediately. There is NO room whatsoever in cricket or anything else for racial abuse, but to see the usually silent majority step in like that was encouraging, and I like to think representative of MOST Australians, cricket fans or otherwise.

It seems to me that the most racist cricket fans are like the most violent football hooligans - for whom the game is secondary and the causing of trouble is their prime motivation. Not only do they not deserve to be called cricket fans, but it's hard to even call them civilised human beings.

I would absolutely love to see the Australian cricket going public take a step to show the world how they should be represented by the majority, not how they frequently ARE represented by a minority. If Murali gets no.709 in either Brisbane or Hobart, I hope the crowd gives him the standing ovation that achievement deserves.

 

[Fusion]

While I think that the level of racism in Australia seems to be exaggerated somewhat, I won't begin to deny that it exists. There is sadly a vocal, drunken minority (and that is what it is, a minority) who for reasons in their minds that are completely incomprehensible to me, think that racial abuse is acceptable, or equally ignorantly, somehow think that friendly banter and racism are interchangeable. I've only experienced it once personally, at the Australia v RoW Test in Sydney in 2005 when a group of Indian fans were abused by a few drunken Aussies (who had been p***ing everybody in their vicinity off all day) and a mate and I almost got into a fistfight with them when we stepped in on the part of the Indian fans. What impressed me most about the situation was that virtually everyone within earshot reacted with extreme hostility to these yobs posing as cricket fans and they were ejected from the ground immediately. There is NO room whatsoever in cricket or anything else for racial abuse, but to see the usually silent majority step in like that was encouraging, and I like to think representative of MOST Australians, cricket fans or otherwise.

It seems to me that the most racist cricket fans are like the most violent football hooligans - for whom the game is secondary and the causing of trouble is their prime motivation. Not only do they not deserve to be called cricket fans, but it's hard to even call them civilised human beings.

I would absolutely love to see the Australian cricket going public take a step to show the world how they should be represented by the majority, not how they frequently ARE represented by a minority. If Murali gets no.709 in either Brisbane or Hobart, I hope the crowd gives him the standing ovation that achievement deserves.

Top post. Kudos to you and your mate for standing up to those idiots.

 

[Richard]

While I think that the level of racism in Australia seems to be exaggerated somewhat, I won't begin to deny that it exists. There is sadly a vocal, drunken minority (and that is what it is, a minority) who for reasons in their minds that are completely incomprehensible to me, think that racial abuse is acceptable, or equally ignorantly, somehow think that friendly banter and racism are interchangeable. I've only experienced it once personally, at the Australia v RoW Test in Sydney in 2005 when a group of Indian fans were abused by a few drunken Aussies (who had been p***ing everybody in their vicinity off all day) and a mate and I almost got into a fistfight with them when we stepped in on the part of the Indian fans. What impressed me most about the situation was that virtually everyone within earshot reacted with extreme hostility to these yobs posing as cricket fans and they were ejected from the ground immediately. There is NO room whatsoever in cricket or anything else for racial abuse, but to see the usually silent majority step in like that was encouraging, and I like to think representative of MOST Australians, cricket fans or otherwise.

It seems to me that the most racist cricket fans are like the most violent football hooligans - for whom the game is secondary and the causing of trouble is their prime motivation. Not only do they not deserve to be called cricket fans, but it's hard to even call them civilised human beings.

I would absolutely love to see the Australian cricket going public take a step to show the world how they should be represented by the majority, not how they frequently ARE represented by a minority. If Murali gets no.709 in either Brisbane or Hobart, I hope the crowd gives him the standing ovation that achievement deserves.

Put me out of my misery: you are actually an Aussie aren't you?

 

[lionheart]

Yeah, there is a fair amount of garbage that goes on at cricket matches in Australia. Most Australians don't even realize it happens – that’s why they say its all a media beat up or people being soft. Usually when ever I go to the cricket it’s usually with a bunch of Aussies so I never really have to put up with it. But I’ve witnessed it on countless occasions, and I have experienced myself it when I’ve been with other Sri Lankan’s. One incident that sticks out in my mind was a few years ago at the SCG, these blokes were harassing Russel Arnold on the boundary line. They were calling him a monkey and exchanging in other such pleasantries. So a bunch of us started getting into em, telling them more or less to get over themselves and watch the cricket. Then one of the guys sprayed mustard all over Prabath Nissanka (the 12th man) who came down to the boundary line to give Russel a drink. Obviously, we were pretty filthy about it and we gave em a spray and then they tried to get into fisticuffs with us. Luckily the security guys stepped in and ejected those bastards. It made the landslide Sri Lankan victory that day all the more sweet.

It’s strange though, this type of stuff only happens at cricket (maybe afl but I don't watch that rubbish). I'm a keen rugby league fan and I’ve been to games pretty much everywhere: Brisbane, Townsville, most of the suburban grounds around Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra. That sort of behaviour doesn't happen, at least not in my experience. I guess it might have to do with the fact that cricket is really the only Anglo Australian dominated sport in Australia at the domestic and international levels, while the football codes are very multicultural.

 

[Richard]

It's exactly the same in any country: here, you get rubbish at the football (soccer for those non-Brits) that you'd never remotely dream of seeing at the cricket or, indeed, most other sports.

 

[archie mac]

Yeah, there is a fair amount of garbage that goes on at cricket matches in Australia. Most Australians don't even realize it happens – that’s why they say its all a media beat up or people being soft. Usually when ever I go to the cricket it’s usually with a bunch of Aussies so I never really have to put up with it. But I’ve witnessed it on countless occasions, and I have experienced myself it when I’ve been with other Sri Lankan’s. One incident that sticks out in my mind was a few years ago at the SCG, these blokes were harassing Russel Arnold on the boundary line. They were calling him a monkey and exchanging in other such pleasantries. So a bunch of us started getting into em, telling them more or less to get over themselves and watch the cricket. Then one of the guys sprayed mustard all over Prabath Nissanka (the 12th man) who came down to the boundary line to give Russel a drink. Obviously, we were pretty filthy about it and we gave em a spray and then they tried to get into fisticuffs with us. Luckily the security guys stepped in and ejected those bastards. It made the landslide Sri Lankan victory that day all the more sweet.

It’s strange though, this type of stuff only happens at cricket (maybe afl but I don't watch that rubbish). I'm a keen rugby league fan and I’ve been to games pretty much everywhere: Brisbane, Townsville, most of the suburban grounds around Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra. That sort of behaviour doesn't happen, at least not in my experience. I guess it might have to do with the fact that cricket is really the only Anglo Australian dominated sport in Australia at the domestic and international levels, while the football codes are very multicultural.

Well I only really sit with Aussies (white ones) so I have not seen any of this stuff, except in a very general way.

As for the AFL crack, I have now put you on my ignore list

 

[silentstriker]

Well I only really sit with Aussies (white ones) so I have not seen any of this stuff, except in a very general way.

But you can now understand why a lot of us would rather not go there. I am sure this happens in other countries, but I've never heard of it happening to anywhere near the degree that it happens down under (even if it is a small minority).

 

[Richard]

You'd better believe it happens everywhere. There are dickheads anywhere - when you've got 15,000 humans in one place, there's simply bound to be.

One thing to consider in all this, of course, is that Australian grounds are generally bigger than most, and hence there is often larger audiences and therefore more potential for the small dickhead population to rear its ugly head.

It's exactly the same as someone not wanting to go to watch a game in Kolkata because of fear of riots. Yeah, it's not exactly likely, but if you get caught up in something that does happen - you'd best prepare for one of the worst things anyone could wish to experience.

Just like you'd be a fool to judge most Indians by the few that riot at the occasional cricket-match, you'd be a fool to judge most Australians by the few that throw racist bull**** around. Nonetheless, the fact that something like that is a possibility that cannot be ruled-out could quite easily put a rational and sensible person off going to a ground in a place where that's possible.

Of course, here in the UK we never have any problems at cricket. We're saintly holier-than-thous.

And yet as recently as 1992 there were some of the most disgraceful scenes you could ever wish to see at a cricket match, as Pakistani contingents were subjected to not merely racial taunts, but a pig's head being thrown into their seating area.

 

[silentstriker]

You'd better believe it happens everywhere. There are dickheads anywhere - when you've got 15,000 humans in one place, there's simply bound to be.

One thing to consider in all this, of course, is that Australian grounds are generally bigger than most, and hence there is often larger audiences and therefore more potential for the small dickhead population to rear its ugly head.

It's exactly the same as someone not wanting to go to watch a game in Kolkata because of fear of riots. Yeah, it's not exactly likely, but if you get caught up in something that does happen - you'd best prepare for one of the worst things anyone could wish to experience.

Just like you'd be a fool to judge most Indians by the few that riot at the occasional cricket-match, you'd be a fool to judge most Australians by the few that throw racist bull**** around. Nonetheless, the fact that something like that is a possibility that cannot be ruled-out could quite easily put a rational and sensible person off going to a ground in a place where that's possible.

Of course, here in the UK we never have any problems at cricket. We're saintly holier-than-thous.

And yet as recently as 1992 there were some of the most disgraceful scenes you could ever wish to see at a cricket match, as Pakistani contingents were subjected to not merely racial taunts, but a pig's head being thrown into their seating area.

Yup, happens everywhere and to be honest, even I wouldn't want to watch a test in India regardless of personal safety concerns (of which there would be less since I am Indian). The boards don't know how to treat the paying customers properly. The facilities are unsanitary, the service is non-existent, and prepare to be laughed at if you ask for a refund even if the entire game is rained out.

But, from all accounts, the personal abuse happens more in Australia than anywhere else. Certainly admitting that its a very small minority, and definitely not saying its a majority or anywhere near that level. But, like I said, I'd rather just relax at a beach in Sydney than waste my time TBH.

 

[Prince EWS]

It's exactly the same as someone not wanting to go to watch a game in Kolkata because of fear of riots. Yeah, it's not exactly likely, but if you get caught up in something that does happen - you'd best prepare for one of the worst things anyone could wish to experience.

Yeah, and it might just be me, but I'd much rather be called a "white ****" or something by idiot whose opinion meant nothing to me, than get injured in some crazy riot.

Seriously though, the stories of Dasa and the like surprise me. I was always of the belief that the "racial abuse" was only leveled at the players, and that it was more a case of "I don't like you because you play for the opposition so I'll pick something easy and run with it to get on your nerves" than "I hate people of your race so I'm going to let you know about." Given it seems crowd members have also been targeted, it seems the latter may be as big a problem as the former, which is actually a serious concern.

 

[adharcric]

Yup, happens everywhere and to be honest, even I wouldn't want to watch a test in India regardless of personal safety concerns (of which there would be less since I am Indian). The boards don't know how to treat the paying customers properly. The facilities are unsanitary, the service is non-existent, and prepare to be laughed at if you ask for a refund even if the entire game is rained out.

But, from all accounts, the personal abuse happens more in Australia than anywhere else. Certainly admitting that its a very small minority, and definitely not saying its a majority or anywhere near that level. But, like I said, I'd rather just relax at a beach in Sydney than waste my time TBH.

You wouldn't watch India vs Australia at Kolkata or Adelaide? I certainly would, regardless of idiots in the crowd.

 

[Richard]

Akhil playing the tough guy, Manan playing the shy, retiring I'm-above-all-this type?




Seriously, though, the amount of different viewpoint in this area rarely fails to be fascinating. Just a shame when the C_C types get involved.

 

[archie mac]

But you can now understand why a lot of us would rather not go there. I am sure this happens in other countries, but I've never heard of it happening to anywhere near the degree that it happens down under (even if it is a small minority).

I can't tbh, if you were 100% certain you would cop abuse, then I could understand, maybe Dasa could tell us how many times he has been to the cricket, and how many times he has had a problem

 

[lionheart]

As for the AFL crack, I have now put you on my ignore list

i'm sorry, it just had to be said

 

[vic_orthdox]

Never really see much happen at AFL games either, because there's always something going on, much like league, soccer and those type of sports. The people who see the need to "entertain themselves" ( ) at the cricket, will be the ones who take the opportunity to drink all day and cause havoc around them, just because there's nothing going on for the 20 seconds while the bowler is walking back to his mark.

 

[archie mac]

i'm sorry, it just had to be said

No worries mate, as a Canberra boy born and bred, I can follow all of the codes, I just prefer the GayFL

 

[Prince EWS]

No worries mate, as a Canberra boy born and bred, I can follow all of the codes, I just prefer the GayFL

Haha, even the fans call it that now!

 

[archie mac]

Haha, even the fans call it that now!

It takes the power away from it

 

[Burgey]

SHRUG, unless you think everyone who is claiming to be abused at Australia is lying, I'd rather not take a chance. If it gets better, I would re-think my stance. If I ever visit Australia, I'd rather go to a beach in Sydney than put up with that crap.



Haha.

Don't go to Cronulla.

 

[pasag]

Never really see much happen at AFL games either, because there's always something going on, much like league, soccer and those type of sports. The people who see the need to "entertain themselves" ( ) at the cricket, will be the ones who take the opportunity to drink all day and cause havoc around them, just because there's nothing going on for the 20 seconds while the bowler is walking back to his mark.

Yeah never see anything happen at an AFL game because everyone is watching the game and has no time for anything else. Obviously there was the Nicky Winmar thing but I'd imagine that was a one off. Have seen a big fight, but that was at a Richmond game so it was to be expected I guess