Edgbaston to investigate racist abuse of Indian supporters during England Test

An investigation will be launched into allegations of racist abuse aimed at spectators during the fourth day of the Test match between England and India at Edgbaston, with fans of the visiting side reported to have been “literally in tears” and stewards said to have told those who experienced problems to “sit down”.

Azeem Rafiq, the former Yorkshire cricketer who has become a campaigner against discrimination in cricket, highlighted some posts on social media describing the racist behaviour experienced at the ground.

“I’m all for some good banter between fans but today was some of the worst abuse we’ve ever experienced at a match,” read one. “Some disgusting racism. The stewards actually told the India fans to sit down whilst allowing the abuse to go ahead.” Another fan described being abused in the Hollies Stand: “We reported it to the stewards and showed them the culprits but no response and all we were told is to sit in our seats.”

Responding to the allegations, a post on Edgbaston’s official Twitter account said: “We’re incredible sorry to read this and do not condone this behaviour in any way. We’ll be investigating this ASAP.” The England and Wales Cricket Board said: “We are very concerned to hear reports of racist abuse at today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket.”

The allegations cast a depressingly familiar shadow over what had otherwise been an overwhelmingly positive day for English cricket, which ended with England three wickets down and requiring an apparently trivial 119 more runs to complete the biggest run chase in their history.

But for a wild period either side of tea when three wickets fell for two runs England’s