Fans warned against Oz Open-like racial abuses during Perth Test

Following racial tension brewing on the second consecutive day of the ongoing Australian Open at Melbourne, Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) officials have said that no kind of racial abuse in the backdrop of recent Bhajji-Symonds spat would be allowed at the Perth Test.

Sydney, Jan 16 : Following racial tension brewing on the second consecutive day of the ongoing Australian Open at Melbourne, Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) officials have said that no kind of racial abuse in the backdrop of recent Bhajji-Symonds spat would be allowed at the Perth Test.

WACA chief executive Graeme Wood said that banners carrying offensive slogans won't be allowed inside the WACA ground at Perth.

"We would love to see as many Australian and Indian flags out there as we can but anything that is offensive will not be allowed in. We have been working with Cricket Australia since October to make sure we have the security staff, the police presence and the CCTV to ensure patrons do enjoy the day. We think we have adequate measures in place, if there are any issues we will certainly be there to cover it," the Daily Telegraph quoted Wood as saying.

WACA Police Superintendent Duane Bell said that a large police contingent would be at the game.

He said: "We're expecting that the crowd will be coming along to see a good cricket match but having said that, our security overlay does involve a response for any racial vilification. Banners with racist slogans and any of those sorts of items will be seized by security staff at the gate and will not be allowed into the venue."

ANI