Moeen Ali claims an Australian cricketer called him "Osama" during the first 2015 Ashes test.GETTY IMAGES
England cricketer Moeen Ali accused an Australian player of "racial vilification," declaring he was called "Osama" during the 2015 Ashes series, according to Jon Pierik of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Ali made the revelation in his autobiography, claiming he was "abused during the first Ashes Test at Cardiff" in '15, in which he made 77 in the first innings and took five wickets for the match in England's 169-run win. He wrote in the book, "It was a great first Ashes Test in terms of my personal performance. However there was one incident which had distracted me. An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, 'Take that, Osama.' I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field." Ali, who did not publish the name of the Australian player, said that he took the issue to England coach Trevor Bayliss, who then sought his Australian counterpart, Darren Lehmann. Ali: "Lehmann asked the player: 'Did you call Moeen Osama?' He denied it, saying, 'No, I said, 'Take that, you part-timer.'' I must say I was amused when I heard that for there is a world of difference between the words 'Osama' and 'part-timer'" (SMH, 9/15). In Sydney, Ben Horne reported Cricket Australia immediately went to the England & Wales Cricket Board over Ali's allegations. No official complaint was made to match officials at the time. A CA spokesperson said, "Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and have no place in our sport, or in society. We have a clear set of values and behaviors that comes with representing our country. We take this matter very seriously, and are following up with the ECB as a matter of urgency to seek further clarification around the alleged incident" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 9/15). In Sydney, Andrew Wu reported the Int'l Cricket Council is encouraging any player who believes he or she has been "racially abused" to report it, as it emerged the Australian player who allegedly "vilified" Ali "can still face disciplinary action under the game's Anti Racism code." CA CEO James Sutherland is one of several officials who can submit a report to the ICC. Though the alleged incident happened more than three years ago, a report can still be filed. Under the Anti Racism code, the umpires, match referee, team managers and CEOs of CA and the ECB can make a report no later than seven days after the alleged offense is "brought to their attention." It is, however, considered "unlikely for any report to be made" unless Ali provides further details, given the alleged perpetrator "denied any wrongdoing" (SMH, 9/16).
