Cricket Australia livid about racist slurs against Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed

Ahmed poses for the camera during a CA press conference

James Sutherland, head of Cricket Australia, has slammed the racist “comments” directed at Pakistan-born Australian cricketer Fawad Ahmed on social media after the player was allowed not to wear a kit featuring the logo of the beer company VB, who are the teams sponsors, NDTV Sports reports.

Ahmed, who received his Australian citizenship in July with his application being processed earlier than usual in interest of Australian cricket, was not wearing a jersey with the VB logo when he made his international debut for Australia in the previous week’s T20 match versus England.

Ahmed chose not to wear the jersey with the beer company due to his religious beliefs and “expressed discomfort with the conflict this created for him, due to his religious beliefs”.

Cricket Australia and other social networking site’s we’re abuzz with controversial comments, after Cricket Australia gave him permission to wear an unbranded jersey.

“Legitimate reason RELIGION, no its not, it’s a game of cricket, not praying at a church,” said one reaction.

“It is driven by money and fans not by religious fanatics. Those who don’t like the Australian culture should leave, or keep misguided values to themselves,” said another comment.

CA chief James Sutherland expressed his disgust at the negative response.

“Cricket Australia would like to express its extreme disappointment over racist comments towards Fawad Ahmed on social media… some of which are falsely attributed to former Australian cricketer Dean Jones,” he said in a statement late Tuesday.

“CA does not condone racism in any way, shape or form.

“CA is fully supportive of Fawad’s personal beliefs and he is a valued and popular member of the Australian cricket team and the wider cricket community.”

Other athletes such as South African cricketer Hashim Amla, Indian Parvez Rasool, and footballer Papiss Cisse have also decided previously against wearing jerseys that hurt their religious sentiments.