Kumar Sangakkara condemns racism, says stern action should be taken against offenders

Former Sri Lankan skipper as well as current President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Kumar Sangakkara has strongly condemned racial slur faced by India pacers Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah during third Test match at SCG and demanded stern action against offenders.

Indian team on Saturday had lodged an official complaint after SCG crowd had racially abused ir frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, Siraj was once again at receiving end on Sunday as well. 

play was halted briefly as pacer along with his captain Ajinkya Rahane informed umpires, after which perpetrators were asked to leave stadium. 

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'Should be strongly punished'

"I did read about what happened with crowd and Indian team in last couple of days. Racism in any country in any manner has to be decried and has to be condemned and those responsible should be strongly punished and stern action should be taken against m," said Sangakkara while replying to a query from ANI.

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Cricket Australia issues apology

After Siraj was yet again subjected to racial abuse by unruly crowd during Australia's second innings on Day 4, Cricket Australia (CA)  issued a statement wherein, association asserted that it followed a 'zero-tolerance policy' to all forms of discrimination as it ackwledged abuse faced by Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. y also 'unreservedly' apologised to Indian team. 

“Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms following alleged racial abuse of members of Indian cricket squad by a section of crowd at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday,” read statement.

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(With ANI Inputs)