Racism controversy ignites over Pakistan-born Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed
Recently turned Australian citizen Fawad Ahmed has landed in controversy
Pakistani spinner Fawad Ahmed, who was given Australian citizenship recently in July, has ignited a racism controversy.
Fawad made his debut for his adopted country in a recent T20 series in England. During the series, the leg-spinner did not wear the logo of sponsors VB on his shirt, with Cricket Australia later explaining that the logo was missing due to his religious beliefs.
That incident sparked some controversy Down Under, as former Australia batsman Doug Walters, as per reports in Daily Telegraph, said, “I think if he doesn’t want to wear the team gear, he should not be part of the team. Maybe if he doesn’t want to be paid that’s OK.”
Following up on Doug’s remarks, former Australian rugby union international David Campese, who won 101 caps for the Wallabies, then tweeted in agreement with Walters, saying:
Doug Walters tells Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed: if you don't like the VB uniform, don't play for Australia Well said doug. Tell him to go home
— David Campese (@Davidcampese11) September 5, 2013
And when a fellow Twitter user suggested that his comments could be considered racist, the 50-year-old Campese replied:
@Gr1ngo_ well why did he come to Aussie for in the first place. A better life? Now he is telling people what he wants.!
— David Campese (@Davidcampese11) September 5, 2013
Campese’s comments come after James Sutherland, CEO of Cricket Australia, released a statement on Tuesday criticising remarks made about Ahmed on social media, in which even former Australian cricketer Dean Jones was allegedly involved.
“Cricket Australia would like to express its extreme disappointment over racist comments towards Fawad Ahmed on social media this afternoon, some of which are falsely attributed to former Australian cricketer Dean Jones,” the statement from governing body stated.
“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.”