MCC Chairman Calls for More Evidence and Enforces Restrictions Following Misconduct by Members.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has taken action in response to the misconduct of its members during the second Ashes Test.
As investigations continue, MCC members will face limitations on their movements and will be required to maintain greater distance from players in the Lord’s Long Room.
During the match at Headingley, Australia encountered a mixed reception, with sections of the crowd booing the country’s national anthem before play on the first day.
Fortunately, fans in Leeds were largely well-behaved, although each Australian player still faced jeers as they took to the field.
Notably, the strongest boos were directed at Alex Carey and Pat Cummins, who are seen as Australia’s main antagonists in England due to Carey’s controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow.
However, while some fans in Leeds engaged in friendly interactions with the players before the match, the use of camera phones to capture these moments was strongly condemned by MCC Chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown in an email addressed to the members.
Carnegie-Brown expressed his disappointment with the members who had verbally abused Australia’s players on the fifth day of the Lord’s Test, stating that their actions had brought shame upon the entire Marylebone Cricket Club.
He also criticized those members who had shared videos of the incident, as these videos exposed the full extent of the abuse directed towards the Australian team.
In his address, Carnegie-Brown stated, “The video footage captured on Sunday (including some which was taken in clear breach of our regulations) is there for all to see.”
“The members shown on camera have brought shame on MCC. Their actions hinder our efforts to promote the positive things our club does to promote and celebrate the game.”
Consequently, MCC will implement measures to keep players separated from fans for the remainder of the summer.
These measures include providing a wider roped-off space in the Long Room for players to walk through, away from members.
Additionally, members will be prohibited from using the stairs when players enter or exit the pitch.
These rules will be enforced during Australia’s women’s T20I against England on Saturday night. Furthermore, MCC has already suspended three members who directly confronted Australia’s male players and has requested assistance from the public in identifying other individuals involved in the misconduct.
Carnegie-Brown stressed that the issue with member behavior on that day extends beyond the suspended members, emphasizing that if additional evidence emerges and more witness statements are gathered, further disciplinary action will be taken.
He urged any member with information that could lead to the identification of other individuals involved to come forward.
“It is unacceptable for any of us to point the finger of blame at others unless we are willing to intervene ourselves when we see behaviors which fall short of what is expected of members,” Carnegie-Brown stated“.
In conclusion, MCC is taking a strong stance against the misconduct exhibited by its members during the second Ashes Test. The club’s chairman has called for further evidence and has implemented restrictions to ensure that players are protected from abusive behavior.
MCC aims to maintain its commitment to promoting and celebrating the game of cricket, while also addressing and penalizing any member who violates the expected standards of behavior.
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