Imran Tahir was subjected to racial abuse during the fourth One-Day International between South Africa and India in Johannesburg, Cricket South Africa confirmed on Monday (February 12). The fan was eventually evicted from the stadium after the legspinner reported the incident to the security officials.
"Cricket South Africa has noted and is aware of the circulation of video footage featuring Imran Tahir on social media and Whatsapp groups," CSA said in a release.
"Imran Tahir was verbally and racially abused by an unknown man during the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against India at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. Tahir reported the incident to the stadium security, and was subsequently accompanied by two security personnel to identify and to have the man ejected from the stadium. Tahir made no physical contact with the offender or any of the children in the vicinity. The incident is under investigation with the CSA and stadium security teams.
"In accordance with the ICC Anti-racism code, spectators who engage in racist conduct are to be ejected from the stadium and can face further sanctions and criminal prosecution," CSA stated.
According to Mohammed Moosajee, the South Africa team manager, Tahir was abused by the individual throughout the match and there were some "hostile verbal exchanges" when Tahir pointed out the perpetrator to the security staff, who according to the legspinner was an Indian fan.
Tahir, who wasn't part of the playing XI for the fourth ODI, was abused by the fan each time he entered and left the field on drinks duties. While ruling out any sanctions on Tahir, who according to Moosajee did nothing untoward, the manager said the investigation, as mentioned in the CSA statement, is to get a better idea of what transpired and inputs from the security personnel.
"We want to get an idea from the stadium security perspective, their input into what happened. Once we have an understanding of that, then we'll be able to have a better idea of things," Moosajee said.
This is not the first time Tahir has been subjected to such behaviour. During the 2015 World Cup, the fans at Manuka Oval had a run in with Tahir with one of the fans shouting "Why don't you go stroke your pet camel?" at him. Tahir had faced such a incident at the same venue during the 2014 tour as well.