Cricket: On-the-spot fines for racist taunts

Unruly spectators face on-the-spot fines and soccer-style bans as part of a crackdown to stamp out racism in the game.

Australian cricket authorities announced the tough new measures yesterday following complaints that some members of the South African team were subjected to racial abuse during the opening test in Perth.

Cricket Australia ordered a thorough review into security arrangements for the second test, starting on Monday in Melbourne.

The review includes briefing security guards on racist slurs that are unfamiliar to most Australians.

Local newspapers said the South Africans were called "kaffirs" and "kaffir boeties", derogatory terms for black people and black sympathisers.

However, security staff at the match did not take any action as they were unaware of what the terms meant. Perth has a large expatriate South African community.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said security staff had been given special instructions to weed out trouble-makers.

The measures included on-the-spot fines and expulsion from the venue and even the possibility of permanent bans.

"I understand overseas there are various methods they have from banning people to go to soccer matches for example," said Sutherland.

"I would hope that sport in Australia doesn't need to get to that stage but if we do have serious problems, some of the serious problems they have had overseas, obviously some of these measures would be well supported by us."

South African captain Graeme Smith welcomed the changes, saying the abuse was unacceptable.

"Our guys are pretty upset about it - something needed to be done.

"We expected to cop a bit of abuse but this was pushing the limits."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting agreed, although he admitted his players were oblivious to the crowd trouble until they were told about it after the match.

"Neither myself or any of the [Australian] players knew anything about this matter until a fair while after the game had finished," said Ponting.

"But it's disappointing to think that would have happened. There's no room in sport for racism whatsoever.

"The players are all very aware of that, the crowd needs to be aware of that and enjoy the game for what it is."

- REUTERS