The Pakistan Under-19 cricket team was unexpectedly targeted by anti-immigrant protesters after being mistaken for a group of asylum seekers. Demonstrators gathered outside the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth on Tuesday evening following online rumours about the arrival of foreign nationals.
Pakistan Under-19 secured a commanding 177-run victory over England Under-19 in a Youth ODI at Arundel on September 9. The junior side had earlier lost a four-day match by 10 runs between September 2 and 5. Meanwhile, the senior Pakistan team struggled at Edgbaston, being bowled out for 133.
Around 30 to 40 protesters gathered outside the four-star Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth on Tuesday evening. The crowd believed the group of foreign men could be asylum seekers, creating a tense situation outside the Pakistan Under-19 team’s accommodation.
George Madgwick, a local Reform UK councillor, contacted the hotel to clarify the situation and mediate between the protesters and the Pakistan team management. After confirming that the group were members of the Pakistan U-19 cricket team, he went outside and explained the misunderstanding to the protesters.
“I spoke to the coach of the team, who was very understanding,” Madgwick told the Guardian. “I went out to the protesters and told them, ‘You've got it wrong guys, it's a cricket club.’ They left within a couple of minutes. It was a massively unfortunate incident.”
“From the perspective of the people of Portsmouth who are already on high alert, this was a coach from the same company which was turning up with about 40 foreign men.”
Police Confirm No Offences as ECB Reviews Security
Hampshire Police were notified shortly before 6:30 PM that a group of people had started gathering near the hotel. Officers attended the scene and spoke to the protesters, who were expressing concerns about a coach seen in the area.
The police explained that the protesters’ concerns were incorrect, after which the crowd dispersed a short time later. A police spokesman said that around 30 people had gathered and confirmed that no offences were identified during the incident.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has since contacted the Pakistan team management to check on the players’ wellbeing. The board is also reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of Pakistan Under-19’s tour of England.
Anti-Racism Group Condemns Mistaken Protest Against Pakistan U-19 Team
Michael Bradley, a national organiser from the Stand Up To Racism organisation, condemned the incident and warned about the consequences of targeting people based on rumours and their appearance.
Bradley said the incident showed how the scapegoating of refugees and migrants could lead to minority groups becoming targets. He also warned that black and Asian people could face similar treatment if protesters continue to act on unverified reports.
“When a Pakistan U-19's team is faced by protests because it ‘might’ in fact be a group of migrants it means that effectively any group of black or Asian people coming into the city are being seen by the far right as a potential target,” he said.
“It's obvious where all this is going to end -- racist attacks and more violence.”
Pakistan and England Under-19 are scheduled to play three more Youth ODIs between September 12 and 16. The teams had earlier played a four-day match in Arundel from September 2 to 5.
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