ECB ‘appalled’ by racist abuse and sexual harassment directed at cricket fan after England vs Australia T20 match

The English and Welsh Cricket Association is “appalled” after a fan was racially abused and sexually harassed on his way back from the second Twenty20 match in Cardiff on Friday.

A group of five men on the 10.30pm train from Cardiff to Newport behaved in a “vile and sexually violent manner” towards a spectator, Rajvi Glasbrook. They were all returning from England's match against Australia.

“Even before we got on the train, it was clear that her behavior was abhorrent,” Glasbrook said. Telegraph Sports.

“The tirade started when I got on the train.

“The language and lascivious looks were vile and at times sexually violent. One of the men once lit a can of Lynx on a fairly full car.”

When she got off the train after the journey, Glasbrook told the men she would report them. The group, who all got off in Newport, then followed her from the platform to the front of the station, where one of the men told her to “fuck off.”

After leaving the station, Glasbrook called 101 to report the incident. She was then told to call the British Transport Police for non-urgent cases. But when she called, no one answered.

“Reporting should be easier,” Glasbrook said.[The operators at] 101 should be able to relay reports to BTS and vice versa. Being interrupted while speaking and told to call another number when you are anxious and upset was not helpful.”

After the incident, she said she no longer felt safe taking the train.

Glasbrook released details of the men and urged anyone with further information to contact British Transport Police.

“At first glance they could have passed for a normal group of friends, just loud. One was wearing a cheerful Hawaiian shirt, another a bucket hat – the kind of stuff you wear to cricket,” she said.

ECB calls on witnesses to come forward and contact the police

Both the ECB and Glamorgan condemned the incident and stressed that such behaviour is unacceptable from anyone attending cricket matches. They have also been in contact with Glasbrook following the attack.

An ECB spokesman said: “We are appalled by the verbal abuse Rajvi experienced on her way home from this match and urge anyone who witnessed it or has any information to contact the police. Glamorgan Cricket has contacted Rajvi and we hope the perpetrators can be identified.”

Glamorgan said in a statement: “We are truly saddened by Rajvi's experience on public transport on her way home. We condemn this behaviour and take every report of this nature seriously.”

“Everyone at Glamorgan Cricket is proud of the warm, welcoming atmosphere we provide at Sophia Gardens. The message in all our communications is clear: we are against any form of discrimination and there is no place for it in our sport or among the people who support the sport.

“In addition to proactive reporting procedures during games, we have a safety and wellbeing specialist available at our games. This specialist responded directly to Rajvi following her post.”

Friday's T20 match was the only international match played at Sophia Gardens this year. The T20 clash between England and Pakistan in May had to be called off due to rain. The incident marred a thrilling match in which England reached their target of 194 runs and won by three wickets, levelling the series at 1-1 ahead of Sunday's final in Manchester.

Glasbrook said the behaviour of the group of men “was not in keeping with the civilised and good-natured atmosphere at Sophia Gardens” and that “the opportunity to host international matches at Sophia Gardens was such a good thing for Cardiff and Wales fans”.

The British Transport Police was also asked for a statement.

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