Cricket Australia Closes Investigation on Moeen Ali 'Osama' Investigation

Cricket Australia (CA) has closed the investigation on a claim made by England all-rounder, Moeen Ali over an Australia player calling him ‘Osama‘ during the 2015 home Ashes. The board revealed since no evidence was presented, they had to stop the investigation.

The governing body launched an investigation after Moeen Ali had written about the incident in his autobiography. However, no conclusive evidence was found in this regard. Earlier, Cricket Australia stated it wouldn’t tolerate any such behaviour from their cricketers. They further noted strict action would be taken against the player if the allegations were proven right.

“We have followed up with the England and Wales Cricket Board and confirmed the incident was investigated at the time,” CA said.

A response was provided to Moeen. Meanwhile, English Test skipper Joe Root stated that the team was in full support of Moeen regarding the “Osama claim.”

“Moeen elected not to progress the matter any further at the time. We have not been able to ascertain any new additional evidence through our inquiries. As such, the matter is considered closed.

Cricket Australia stops the investigation on Moeen Ali ‘Osama’ comment

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to remarks of this nature, they have no place in our sport, or in society, and any allegations raised with us are treated seriously and respectfully,” Cricket Australia stated.

The 31-year-old veteran cricketer said the comment was made during the first Test of the 2015 series. However, England had won the series by a 3-2 margin.

In an extract from his book which got published in the Times, Moeen had said,

“An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, ‘Take that, Osama’. I could not believe what I had heard.

“I remember going really red. Have never been so angry on a cricket field.” 

However, the comments were made in reference to an Islamist terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali was born in Birmingham but is a Muslim of Pakistani and English heritage.

Moeen had also said he told about the incident to a couple of teammates. He felt that coach Trevor Bayliss raised the issue with the then Australia coach, Darren Lehmann.