Cricket Australia shuts probe into racial slur against Moeen Ali

Cricket Australia (CA) has shut down a probe into an alleged racial attack aimed at England cricketer Moeen Ali by an Australian cricketer. The 30-year-old batting all-rounder, who played a key role in England’s Test series win over India, said in a recently published excerpt from his autobiography that he was addressed as “Osama” by an unnamed Aussie player in Cardiff, during an Ashes Test in 2015.

According to CA, it conducted the investigation but closed it after contacting the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). It also said that Moeen refused to pursue the matter further. The CA had however spoken to players and members of the management who were present during the game in Cardiff.

On September 24, Sky Sports quoted a CA spokesperson as saying: “We have followed up with the ECB and our team management and confirmed that the incident was investigated at the time, with a response provided to Moeen.”
“Moeen elected not to progress the matter any further and we have not been able to ascertain any new additional evidence through our enquiries.”

As such, the matter is considered closed

The spokesperson also warned that the CA has a “zero-tolerance approach” to such remarks, adding: “They have no place in our sport, or in society, and any allegations raised with us are treated seriously and respectfully.”
Moeen played the last two Tests against India in the five-match home series and picked 12 wickets and scored 119 runs to play a key role in England’s victories in both of them.

Dean Jones faced flak for calling Hashim Amla ‘terrorist’ in 2006

This is not the first time that an Australian cricketing personality has been accused of making controversial remarks against players. In 2006, former Australian batsman Dean Jones was sacked by Ten Sports after he was heard calling South African batsman Hashim Amla, a devout Muslim, a “terrorist” while commentating on a Test match between the Proteas and Sri Lanka in Colombo.

When Amla took a catch to dismiss Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara, Jones was heard remarking “the terrorist has got another wicket”. His comment earned a sharp criticism and Jones himself tendered an apology while flying back home after his ouster. He said his comment was “silly” and “completely insensitive” and was not something supposed to heard on air.

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