Jofra Archer: Man who racially abused England cricketer receives two-year ban

13 January 2020, 23:25

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

A 28-year-old man who racially abused England cricketer Jofra Archer has been banned from cricket matches in New Zealand for two years.

The offender, who admitted to abusing the England star, cannot attend international or domestic games in the country following the troubling incident.

England's fast-pace bowler was subject to racial abuse last November as he walked back to the pavilion during the final day of the first Test at Tauranga's Bay Oval.

New Zealand Cricket announced they were taking action following the "unsavoury incident" and issued an apology to Archer.

At the time, the England cricketer took to Twitter to express his concern at the abuse.

"A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team, the crowd was been amazing this week except for that one guy," he wrote.

A statement was released by New Zealand Cricket on Monday.

It read: "The man responsible for racially abusing England cricketer Jofra Archer at the Bay Oval has been banned from attending international and domestic fixtures in New Zealand for two years.

"Archer was targeted by racial abuse on the final day of the first Test between England and New Zealand in November, eventuating in a complaint being laid with Tauranga police.

"As a result of their inquiries, police have spoken to a 28-year-old Auckland man who subsequently admitted responsibility for the abuse. He was issued with a verbal warning for using insulting language.

"NZC have since contacted the man and have also written to him, advising of his ban from all international and domestic fixtures in New Zealand until 2022."

NZC spokesman Anthony Crummy said it would not disclose the offender's details, nor information which might lead to his identification.

However, he stated that if the man breached his ban conditions and attended a fixture he would be removed from the venue and could become subject to further police action.

Crummy said: "We'd again like to extend our apologies to Jofra and the England team management for such an unsavoury incident and reiterate once more that this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable."

The spokesman added that NZC would continue to treat offensive language and behaviour seriously, with anti-racist messages posted on signs around the grounds, on the big screen, and delivered by ground-announcers.

In addition, spectators at all venues would be encouraged to use NZC's text alert system to notify ground security of any anti-social behaviour, including racist taunts and abuse.

He added: "We want to thank the NZ Police for their efforts in identifying the person responsible, and for making it clear that this type of behaviour will not be minimised."