Fans found guilty of racist abuse at Edgbaston face bans from cricket grounds

Any supporters found guilty of racist abuse at the fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston face being banned from the ground and other cricket venues across the country.

Police and Edgbaston officials have launched investigations into allegations of abuse among the crowd on Monday, with Warwickshire chief executive Stuart Cain apologising for the “distress” caused.

West Midlands Police said they were liaising with officials at the ground to understand what happened and the force has encouraged anyone who heard any racist language or witnessed gestures, or who has footage that could help, to come forward.

Inquiries are being made to identify an alleged offender whose image was circulated on social media. Police have urged the man to speak with them.

Cain said anyone found guilty of abuse would be banned from Edgbaston by Warwickshire and from other cricket venues nationwide by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Any form of abuse isn’t acceptable in life or sport,” Cain said.

“So I’m angry about the fact that people think it’s acceptable at an international cricket event and apologise for the distress it’s caused.

I’m angry about the fact that people think it’s acceptable at an international cricket event and apologise for the distress it’s caused- Edgbaston chief executive Stuart Cain

“I have spoken to those who raised the issue on social media, the stewards managing the Eric Hollies Stand and the police.

“There has been a great atmosphere over five days involving more than 100,000 England and India fans, but when this issue was reported to the stewards, they couldn’t pinpoint where the alleged abuse was coming from so stewards and the police monitored the area until close of play.

“If the police