In an unfortunate development, a cricket match had to be cancelled due to racist and homophobic abuse. Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club claimed that its players were subjected to a combination of sexist, homophobic and racist abuse during the match against Stewart’s Melville Cricket Club on Saturday (20 July).
The club has also alleged that as well as being abused, some players were also assaulted. The club said the shameful incident took place when Manchester United and Rangers fans visited the friendly match taking place nearby. The football clubs were also involved in a friendly match and their fans decided to make their presence felt at the cricket match as well.
The East of Scotland Cricket Association Division Seven match was being played at Roseburn Park ahead of Rangers’ friendly against Manchester United at nearby Murrayfield. After fans hurled abuse at and assaulted players, the clubs decided to abandon the match.
“We are deeply upset that our fourth team had to abandon their game today due to a combination of sexist, homophobic and racist abuse at Roseburn Park outside Murrayfield Stadium today against Stewart’s Melville Cricket Club,” the club said in a statement posted on X.
Police refuse to take action:
Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club has also alleged that the police refused to take action against those who were abusing and assaulting their players. Even when players were being assaulted, the police refused to intervene and control the situation.
“Not only that, there were two cases of physical assault on players. The perpetrators of these abuses were fans of football clubs playing a friendly match at Murrayfield Stadium, and the police were 50 metres away,” Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club said.
“The two teams of officials did absolutely nothing to prevent or stop any of the events that occurred and, in fact, flatly refused to assist when pressured by the players,” the club added.
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We are very upset that our fourth team had to abandon their game today due to a combination of sexist, homophobic and racist abuse at Roseburn Park outside Murrayfield Stadium today against @StewMelCC…
– Murrayfield DAFS CC (@MDAFS) July 20, 2024
Following the incident, local police have launched an investigation to clarify the matter.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries following reports of abuse directed at players during a cricket match at Roseburn Park, Edinburgh, on Saturday,” a Police Scotland spokesman said.