Former Zimbabwe cricketer banned from all cricket after racial tirade

In 2008, Vermeulen escaped a conviction for arson because of mental illness

A Zimbabwe cricketer is in the news for making a racial slur on social media, where he referred to black people as "apes." Mark Vermeulen, who has a history of disciplinary problems has been banned from all cricketing activities by Zimbabwe Cricket.

Zimbabwe Cricket informed the media that it looked into the comments posted on Facebook by the batsman. Vermeulen was responding to a complaint made by former player Prosper Utseya, alleging racism in cricket.

“Mark Vermeulen has been banned from participating in all cricket activities after he owned up to repulsive remarks that reflect racism, prejudice and plain ignorance. We find Vermeulen's Facebook comment distasteful and unacceptable, particularly for a senior sportsman who should have learned from playing in Zimbabwe and abroad that there is no place for racism in sport,” the board statement read.

In the post made way back in July, Vermeulen wrote that black people wouldn't have any problems "if we had left them in the bush,” and Utseya might be happier if he was living “in his mud hut.” He referred to black people as "the apes."

The 36-year-old has played nine tests and 43 one-day internationals but has been in and out of the team. Vermeulen, who quit international cricket last year, was training with Mashonaland Eagles ahead of the new domestic season, but his career may be in jeopardy as Eagles players have vowed to boycott any match with Vermeulen in it.

Vermeulen's previous brushes with law

In 2008, Vermeulen escaped a conviction for arson because of mental illness, after setting fire to two Zimbabwe cricket buildings in 2006. This was his way of protesting at being left out of the team. The court found Vermeulen had been suffering from serious psychiatric problems since he was struck on the head by a ball while batting in a game in 2004.

Vermeulen was banned from playing in English league cricket for 10 years in 2011 for hurling the ball at a group of fans after they teased him. He made his return to Zimbabwe's test team last year after a 10-year absence but has fallen out of favour again.

It has been established that the page from where the racist comments originated is indeed his. On Friday, a Zimbabwean newspaper published what it said was an apology from Vermeulen. In it, Vermeulen said that he had apologised personally to Utseya and that his apology was accepted.

Vermeulen also admitted that he knew his comments were over the top and wished to apologize to all that he had offended. The batsman from Harare seemed to suggest that he spoke in that manner because he is a cricketer, and apparently that is how their minds work.