Vic: Racist fans face MCG life ban

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2007
Vic: Racist fans face MCG life ban

Fans heading to the Boxing day cricket test at the MCG will have to be careful what
they say .. or they could face a life ban.

The unprecedented crackdown on racist remarks involves undercover surveillance officers
watching the crowd at the Australia-India match and is part of the zero-tolerance approach
from Cricket Australia and the MCC.

People uttering offensive taunts .. towards either side .. will be evicted from the
famous stadium .. and serious offences will result in lifetime bans from the MCG.

Police and stadium staff will be checking for racist slogans on placards and banners
.. people will be asked to dob in racist fans via a text service or stadium staff .. and
there'll be a 24-hour hotline for Indian players to call if they suffer racial abuse.

Umpires have also been instructed to report any racist behaviour by players.

Cricket Australia anti-racism officer PETER YOUNG says racism is defined by cricket
chiefs as anything that insults .. offends .. humiliates .. intimidates .. threatens ..

discourages or vilifies on the basis of race .. religion .. colour .. nationality or ethnicity.

A crowd of 75 thousand is tipped for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG .. with perfect
weather forecast for the day.

AAP RTV jat/crh

KEYWORD: CRICKET RACISM (MELBOURNE)

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