This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/09/pca-moeen-ali-boos-angus-porter-england-india

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PCA’s attempt to defuse Moeen Ali booing row backfires PCA’s attempt to defuse Moeen Ali booing row backfires
(about 1 hour later)
Angus Porter, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, found himself on similar territory to that occupied by his predecessor Richard Bevan in his new role with the League Managers Association, when he felt obliged to apologise for failing to recognise the gravity of a row involving race.Angus Porter, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, found himself on similar territory to that occupied by his predecessor Richard Bevan in his new role with the League Managers Association, when he felt obliged to apologise for failing to recognise the gravity of a row involving race.
However that was where the similarity with a clumsy attempt from the body Bevan represents, to defend racist texts sent by the former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay as “banter”, ended. However, that was where the similarity with a clumsy attempt from the body Bevan represents, to defend racist texts sent by the former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay as “banter”, ended.
Porter had been attempting to defuse the controversy caused by the abuse received by Moeen Ali from India supporters in Sunday’s Twenty20 international at Edgbaston.Porter had been attempting to defuse the controversy caused by the abuse received by Moeen Ali from India supporters in Sunday’s Twenty20 international at Edgbaston.
In an interview with the Press Association, he urged Moeen to “take it as a positive – you’d rather be booed than ignored”, and compared the booing to the treatment received by many other players, such as Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson when he plays at Headingley. Within an hour of the interview appearing Porter stressed to the Guardian that “in no way was I trying to trivialise the matter”. In an interview with the Press Association he urged Moeen to “take it as a positive – you’d rather be booed than ignored”, and compared the booing to the treatment received by many other players, such as Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson when he plays at Headingley. Within an hour of the interview appearing Porter stressed to the Guardian that “in no way was I trying to trivialise the matter”.
Later he issued a statement. “I made a mistake by suggesting racism does not matter and I do condemn it unreservedly. I started by saying that in the interview, but I also tried to play down the situation because Moeen does not want it to become a major issue. My intention was to try to make sure we didn’t encourage the situation where those who behaved badly felt they could do it more next time because they provoked a reaction this time. But in trying to play it down I succeeded in doing the reverse and I am sorry. Later he issued a statement: “I made a mistake by suggesting racism does not matter and I do condemn it unreservedly. I started by saying that in the interview but I also tried to play down the situation because Moeen does not want it to become a major issue. My intention was to try to make sure we didn’t encourage the situation where those who behaved badly felt they could do it more next time because they provoked a reaction this time. But in trying to play it down I succeeded in doing the reverse and I am sorry.
“It is very important I make it clear that racist behaviour is condemned unequivocally and I am happy to say that. I think it is a fact of life for professional sports people that they will get abuse from people who have paid their money and enjoy being anonymous in a crowd rather than on the playing field. The only way we can address it is by having a proper debate and ensuring we and all the authorities take appropriate action against racist behaviour.”“It is very important I make it clear that racist behaviour is condemned unequivocally and I am happy to say that. I think it is a fact of life for professional sports people that they will get abuse from people who have paid their money and enjoy being anonymous in a crowd rather than on the playing field. The only way we can address it is by having a proper debate and ensuring we and all the authorities take appropriate action against racist behaviour.”
Moeen returned to county action with Worcestershire against Surrey at New Road on Tuesday and repeated beforehand his reluctance to respond to the booing he stated after it was first heard, in a 50-over game against India also at Edgbaston. “It’s fine, it just goes straight over my head, it doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said, speculating that the booing from India supporters came “maybe because my background is from Pakistan” and repeating his hope that “over time we can change” the attitude of British Indians with “a Brummy accent or whatever”. Moeen returned to county action with Worcestershire against Surrey at New Road on Tuesday and repeated before play his reluctance to respond to the booing as he had first stated after it was first heard in a 50-over game against India at Edgbaston. “It’s fine, it just goes straight over my head, it doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said, speculating that the booing from India supporters came “maybe because my background is from Pakistan” and repeating his hope that “over time we can change” the attitude of British Indians with “a Brummy accent or whatever”.