ECB silent as Brisbane airport confrontation adds to England’s Ashes 2025-26 troubles

England’s ongoing Ashes 2025-26 tour of Australia took another uncomfortable turn, and this time, it was off the field after a tense incident involving a member of the touring team’s security staff and a television cameraman at Brisbane Airport.

With England already trailing 0–2 in the five-match Test series and travelling to Adelaide for the third Test starting Wednesday, December 17, the heated exchange between the cameraman and the team’s security guard added more pressure to an already difficult tour.

England security’s aggressive move at Brisbane Airport raises eyebrows

The incident unfolded on Saturday as the England squad was moving through the airport in Brisbane. Players were heading down an escalator in a public area when a confrontation broke out between a security staff member travelling with the team and a cameraman from Channel 7, who was filming the squad as part of routine coverage.

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According to reports, the security guard looked unhappy with the cameraman filming and stepped in while the recording continued. The guard extended his left arm and made physical contact with the cameraman, pushing him as they moved along.

The viral television footage later showed the guard speaking angrily and continuing to push the cameraman for several meters. People who witnessed the scene said the situation became heated and described the behavior as aggressive. They claimed the cameraman was simply doing his job, filming the players in a public space, when the confrontation took place.

Channel 7 confirms Brisbane incident is being investigated while the ECB stays silent

Later, Channel 7 released a statement confirming that the incident was being “taken seriously” and was being handled through the “appropriate channels.”

The broadcaster said the cameraman was “physically confronted” despite acting “respectfully and professionally” during routine filming in a public space. Channel 7 also stressed that the safety and well-being of its staff is always a top priority.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided not to make any statement on the incident. But Australian media have picked it up and highlighted it as yet another negative moment for England, saying this Ashes tour has been full of problems for the visiting team.

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Cricket Australia guidelines under spotlight after airport incident involving England cricket team

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) had already made it clear to all media covering the Ashes 2025-26 series that both teams must be treated with respect while travelling between Tests, including at airports. As part of the guidelines shared ahead of the Ashes, the media is allowed to film only from a respectful distance during airport, hotel, and transit movements.

Cricket Australia’s guidelines to all media read: “The Australian and England teams will not be available for interview while in transit between matches during the NRMA Ashes series. All airport, hotel, and transit is vision only, to be captured from a respectful distance.”

The footage from Brisbane shows that Channel 7 followed CA’s rules while filming the England team. When the England squad later arrived in Adelaide, the same security staff member was questioned about the Brisbane incident. He walked away without saying anything.