Cricket match in UK abandoned after Manchester United and Rangers fans racially abuse and assault players

In an unfortunate event, a cricket match had to be called off over racist and homophobic abuse. Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club has claimed that its players were subject to a combination of sexist, homophobic, and racist abuse during the game against Stewart's Melville Cricket Club on Saturday (July 20).

The club has also claimed that in addition to being abused, some players were assaulted as well. The club said that the shameful incident took place when Manchester United and Rangers fans visited the nearby friendly game. The football clubs were themselves involved in a friendly game and their fans decided to make their presence felt at the cricket game as well.

The East of Scotland Cricket Association Division Seven match was taking place at Roseburn Park before the friendly between Rangers and Manchester United at nearby Murrayfield. After the fans abused and assaulted the players, the clubs decided to call off the game.

Very upset that our 4th team had to abandon their game today due to a combination of sexist, homophobic, and racist abuse at Roseburn Park outside Murrayfield Stadium today against Stewart’s Melville Cricket Club," the club said in a statement posted on X.

Police refuse to take action:

Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club has also claimed that the police refused to take action against those abusing and assaulting its players. Even when the players were being assaulted, the police refused to intervene and bring the situation under control.

"Not only that, there were two instances of physical assault that were perpetrated on players. The perpetrators of said abuse were fans of football clubs playing a friendly at Murrayfield Stadium – and police were standing 50 yards away," stated the Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club.

"Two sets of officers did absolutely nothing to prevent or stop any of the events from taking place - and in fact flat our refused to help when pressed by players," added the club.

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Very upset that our 4th team had to abandon their game today due a combination of sexist, homophobic and racist abuse at Roseburn Park outside Murrayfield Stadium today against @StewMelCC ...

— Murrayfield DAFS CC (@MDAFS) July 20, 2024

In the wake of the incident, the local police have now launched an investigation to look into the matter.

"Officers are carrying out enquiries after reports of abuse being directed towards players during a cricket match at Roseburn Park, Edinburgh on Saturday," a Police Scotland spokesman said.