ENG vs IND: ECB Officials Concerned Over Cocaine Fuelling Crowd's Anti-Social Behaviour - Report

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will have to deal with a major challenge ahead of the rescheduled fifth Test between England and India in Birmingham, starting on July 1. Reports have suggested that cocaine fuelled the anti-social behaviour of fans in the stands. 

On the fourth day of the third and final Test between England and New Zealand, a brawl broke out in the fans. The England fans created a huge ‘beer snake’ using empty plastic glasses. A fan was seen hurling punches at fellow crowd members which led to a fight on the Western terrace of Yorkshire’s club ground only for the local police to intervene. 

Barmy Army threatens to revoke membership after what transpired at Headingley

The Barmy Army, England cricket’s official fan group, condemned the brawl at the Headingley and vowed to revoke the membership of any of the fans engaged in crowd violence during the third Test.

 According to a report by British Daily The Times, several cricket administrators have raised concern over the behaviour of fans at sporting venues. They believe the return of full crowds in the stadiums after two years of Covid restrictions on attending sports and socialising in the country along with the intake of excessive alcohol and drug substances may have to do with the violent and aggressive behaviour of the fans.

During the second Test between England and India at Lord’s last year, a section of fans threw beer and champagne corks at Indian batter, KL Rahul, while he was fielding near the boundary line. The incident irked the then-India captain Virat Kohli, who had gestured his teammate to throw back the corks at the fans. 

ECB’s measures to tackle the issue

Grounds have facilitated spectators a text number to instantly report any such incidents in the stands to the match control room. Then the officials at the stadium can deploy additional security crew near the area of violence. County chiefs have also warned spectators of misbehaviour in the stands that could lead to lifelong bans.

India will play England in the one-off Test starting on July 1 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The visitors already enjoy the advantage of a 2-1 lead and can win their first Test series in England since 2007.

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