Sarfaraz gets four-match suspension for breach of Anti-Racism Code

DUBAI (92 News) – The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for four-matches after breaching the ICC’s Anti-Racism Code for Participants. Sarfraz Ahmed was charged and suspended by the ICC for four international games after accepting that he was in breach of the ICC’s Anti-Racism Code for Participants following an incident that occurred during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban on Tuesday. Pakistani skipper’s was caught via the stump mics making a racist comment against the South African all rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in the Durban ODI. Sarfraz accepted the charge related to ICC's Anti-Racism Code. “Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been handed a four-match suspension for breaching ICC’s Anti-Racism Code,” ICC tweeted.  

JUST IN: Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been handed a four-match suspension for breaching ICC's Anti-Racism Code.

DETAILS ⏬https://t.co/7lCs3FiYpp pic.twitter.com/OWpwV6lJ4w — ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2019

“Engaging in any conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, Umpire Support Personnel or any other person (including a spectator) on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.” Sarfaraz will miss the remaining two matches of the ongoing ODI series as well as the first two matches of the T20I series to follow. As per Article 7.3 of the Anti-Racism Code, Sarfaraz will also have to undergo an education programme to promote the understanding and awareness of issues directly relevant to the offence that he has committed. The ICC will work with the PCB to determine when and how this should take place. The incident was initially reported by Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after he conducted initial investigations and spoke to both players after the match. Following a further investigation, the ICC General Counsel, Iain Higgins, then determined that the player had a case to answer under the Code, and the player was issued with a charge notice on 26 January. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC has a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct of this nature. Sarfaraz has promptly admitted the offence, was regretful of his actions and has issued a public apology, so these factors were taken into account when determining an appropriate sanction.”