PCA apology over Moeen comments

Thursday, 11 September 2014 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Angus Porter, the Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, has said he “unequivocally condemns any form of racism” as he sought to clarify earlier comments he made about the booing of Moeen Ali at Edgbaston. In an initial response about the treatment of Moeen during Sunday’s Twenty20 against India - which led to his father, Munir, telling ESPNcricinfo that his son’s treatment was “disgraceful” and expressing his believe it was because of Moeen’s Muslim faith and Pakistan heritage – Porter said he should see it as “positive” and a player would “rather be booed than ignored”. However, later on Tuesday, Porter insisted it was not his aim to downplay the issue of racism.

“The booing was poor and racist behaviour is completely unacceptable,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “What I was trying to do by my earlier comments is calm a situation and I realise that they had completely the opposite effect. Moeen does not want to take the matter further and we fully respect that. “But I want to add that I unequivocally condemn any form of racism. I’m not sure any of us fully understand the motives behind what happened but it is our shared responsibility that should it happen again to tackle it properly.” In his previous comments to the Press Association, Porter said: “His dad offered his view sincerely and I hope it doesn’t stoke the fire because he was just standing up for his boy. There is an element of taking it as a compliment. You are more likely to boo someone when you think they are someone to be feared. Take it as a positive, you’d rather be booed than ignored.” The Test series between England and India also witnessed extensive booing towards James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja although that was based around the fall-out to their altercation at Trent Bridge. “Supporters pay their money and they are entitled to express an opinion, but I don’t think it’s exclusively about Moeen,” Porter said in his first response. “You see other players get booed. Jimmy Anderson gets booed when he goes to Yorkshire and it’s disappointing when players are performing as entertainers and doing their best. It would be great if spectators saw the positives.” Police, who received a complaint from a spectator at Edgbaston and classed the incident as “non-crime hate-related”, are unable to take further action without a complaint from a victim and Moeen does not want to pursue the issue.