AUSTRALIAN cricket chiefs have closed an investigation into allegations Worcestershire’s England all-rounder Moeen Ali was called ‘Osama’ during the 2015 Ashes series in this country.
Moeen made the claim in his autobiography and said he had never been so angry on a cricket field as after the altercation which is alleged to have taken place during the first test of the series in Cardiff.
The all-rounder declined to name the player accused of the slur but revealed the incident had distracted him from his performance in the clash which saw England victorious on their way to regaining the Ashes.
“An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, ‘Take that, Osama’,” he wrote.
“I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field. He denied it, saying ‘No, I said ‘Take that, you part-timer.
“I had to take the player’s word for it, though for the rest of the match I was angry.
He raised the compaint with current England coach Trevor Bayliss who then spoke to his then-Australia counterpart Darren Lehmann who reiterated the player’s version of events.
Moeen, who was playing his first Ashes test and the 12th of his career, did not take the matter further.
Cricket Australia has now re-examined his claim following the allegations but has failed to unearth any new details.
The inquiry sought additional information on the allegation, made in reference to Islamic terrorist Osama Bin Laden, from the England and Wales Cricket Board as well as members of Australia’s team management during the 2015 Ashes campaign.
Although that yielded no fresh details about the alleged taunt which, according to investigations at the time and subsequently, was not heard by other players from either team or umpires, CA reiterated its abhorrence of any remarks that breached accepted standards of on-field behaviour.
“We have followed up with the ECB and our team management and confirmed the incident was investigated at the time, with a response provided to Moeen,” a CA spokesman said.
“Moeen elected not to progress the matter any further and we have not been able to ascertain any new additional evidence through our enquiries. As such, the matter is considered closed.
“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.
“Representatives of our country are expected to uphold a high standard of behaviours and values, and they are fully aware of the consequences should they fail to do this.”
Under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, players who believe they have been subject to vilification can pursue the matter through formal complaint which is then investigated by match officials.
