Aussie cricket fans have been slammed for an ugly chant directed at Indian supporters as tensions escalated during the recent Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Footage shared online shows dozens of Australian fans repeatedly chanting, ‘Where’s your visa?’ toward a nearby group of Indian supporters during the Melbourne leg of the test.
It came as tensions rose on the field after teenager Sam Konstas received a shoulder charge from Indian legend Virat Kohli while on his way to scoring 60 on debut.
Supporters from both sides of the match criticised the chant, with many labelling it as ‘racist’.
‘This is pure racism happening inside the stadium. Unacceptable behaviour,’ an Indian fan said.
‘I have dealt with racism, it is a thing that will exist forever. If you’re in another country, people will discriminate you,’ another added.
A third said: ‘Australians are just embarrassing.’
‘Real face of Australian fans and their culture on display during today’s Sydney Test match,’ a forth said.
Aussie cricket fans have been slammed after footage of them chanting ‘where’s your visa’ towards Indian supporters at the MCG surfaced online (pictured)
Social media users described the chant as ‘racist’ (pictured, Indian supporters at the SCG)
‘These Australian supporters should be banned from attending any cricket match involving the Indian team,’ a fifth said.
The incident has also made headlines on several major Indian news websites.
‘In sports rivalry, being synonymous with competition is not a bad thing, but the underlying attitude of racism in Australia is still far more prevalent than many Indians like to believe,’ one sports fan told the Tribune India.
The incident has marked an ugly stain on Australia’s historic achievement of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years following their Test victory at the SCG.
Chasing 162 for victory in the final innings, Australia stumbled early losing 3-58 before Beau Webster finished a perfect debut by completing the six-wicket victory.
Pictured: The moment Virat Kohli slams his shoulder into Sam Konstas as the 19-year-old raced to a stunning 60 on debut in the Boxing Day Test
The result completed a 3-1 series triumph for Australia over one of their closest rivals.
Flogged by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth, the victory marked the first time Australia had come from behind to win a five-Test series since the 1997 Ashes.
It marks the final piece of major hardware for the team, which currently holds the Ashes and World Test Championship.
The win also guaranteed Australia’s chance to defend the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lord’s in London in June.
