A Scottish cricket club accused of homophobia- after making a comment on twitter about TV weatherman Sean Batty and Scotland spinner Majid Haq- has been severely punished. The Ayr Cricket club was criticised heavily in the social media due to their comment.
Trouble started after Scotland star Haq sent a tweet to TV presenter Sean Batty asking him how hot the weather was in December.
Ayr Cricket Club then replied, “Big lad stop hanging out the back of Batty! Just ask him ... #loser”.
Haq, who plays for Glasgow’s Clydesdale Cricket Club, contacted a lawyer name Aamer Anwar. Anwar demanded action from the club and cricket Scotland.
Ayr Cricket Club apologised to the high-scoring batsman and leading off-spinner, insisting the tweet sent by their captain Andi McElnea was misinterpreted. But Anwar was disappointed by their response. He said, “One wonders if individuals had not kicked up a fuss on social media whether any action would have been taken.”
No excuse for my stupidity: McElnea
Ayr Cricket Club said on their official website that they had cooperated with the investigation. McElnea shut down his Twitter and Facebook accounts and apologised.
AN apologetic McElnea said, “There is no excuse for my stupidity.”
On January 24, Western District Cricket Union (WDCU) chairman Alex Miller said, “I believe all parties have been informed and all are happy with the decision. It is something that has been a storm in a tea cup and we sincerely hope it will never be repeated.”
Haq played 54 ODIs and 21 T20Is for the Scotland national side. He has picked up 60 wickets in ODIs and 20 wickets in T20Is. Majid was dropped from the team by Cricket Scotland last March. This happened after suggesting that his removal from a match against Sri Lanka was racially motivated. He hasn’t been selected since.
Anwar said, “Cricket Scotland and the powers-that-be need to get their act together otherwise they could stand accused of operating double standards or having their heads in the sand.”
Ayr Cricket Club were also hit by a suspended ban of two match wins by the WDCU after their comments on the social media site last month.
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