South Africa fed up with racial slurs, threaten boycott of Australia

Earlier today, Gerald Majola, CEO of the South African Cricket Board, was quoted as saying that the South African team will look very hard in whether or not to return to Australia if the recent bouts of racial sledging from the Australian crowds continue. Currently in Perth to watch his team take on the Sri Lankans in tomorrow nights ninth game of the VB One Day International triangular series, Majola was quoted in the Cape Times, a South African newspaper, as saying "It is very serious and if it continues, yes, we would look very seriously about whether we return here for another series."

He continued on to explain that "It is not right when a country has a history like ours. It is something that we never thought we would hear about". Throughout the entire summer tour of Australia, the Proteas have constantly been the target of racial abuse from the crowd, which ironically mostly seems to stem from South African expatriates. Makhaya Ntini, Garnett Kruger, Herschelle Gibbs and Ashwell Prince were the main players to come under fire from the boisterous crowd, chanting "K****r", and referring to players such as Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith and Andre Nel as "K****r boetie". After incidents in the earlier 3 Mobile Test at the WACA ground in Perth, Captain Graeme Smith demanded an apology, bringing the issue to the media, as well as opening up copycat acts at matches across Australia.

Tony Dodemaide, Western Australian Cricket Association Chief Executive reinforced the fact that any spectator found to be racially abusing a player would be thrown out, stating "It's a very sensitive issue and there's no place in society for racism. We understand the nature of the issue because Australia has a very sensitive past in regards to that as well."

As an Australian, and a very avid cricket fan, it's clearly evident the racial slurring occurring is atrocious. Australian fans are incredibly passionate about sport, especially cricket, and are often quite loud and vocal in their support for the Aussie side. However, racial slurring is clearly crossing the line. It's not like the crowds commonly heard chants of "Nel is a wanker" toward Andre Nel, a top class bowler responsible for many fallen Australian wickets, and also a player who feeds off the energy of the crowd. It's also not like the crowds cries of "No ball" when the superb Sri Lankan offspin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan approaches the bowlers crease. It is said for one purpose, to insult. Australian fans would clearly be up in arms if racial slurs were directed toward their team, and the Aussie fans really need to lift their game and attitude.

As is usually the case with such occurrences, it is no doubt the actions of a very, very small minority of people that is giving such a bad name to all Australian crowd members. But these small few really need to take a good, hard look at themselves. The South Africans have played a brilliant series, and have bought to Australia some superb and exhilarating cricket. While, realistically, the South Africans wouldn't attempt a boycott as they would face a massive fine from the ICC for failing to honor their commitments outlined in the future tours program, for them even to consider the option is proof enough that the issue has gone on for far to long, and really needs to be stopped immediately.

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