David Campese’s ‘bigoted’ comments that Fawad Ahmed should ‘go home’ condemned by Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia has described as “bigoted” comments from the country’s former rugby international, David Campese, that Fawad Ahmed should “go home” for not wanting to wear a beer sponsor’s logo on his Australia shirt.

Ahmed’s decision not to sport the VB logo has caused controversy in Australia with Campese’s comments echoing those of former Australiabatsman Doug Walters.

CA has now issued two statements to defend Ahmed’s choice, first in response to abuse on Twitter and now chief executive James Sutherland’s comments about Campese and Walters.

Walters was quoted as saying: “I think if he doesn’t want to wear the team gear, he should not be part of the team. Maybe if he doesn’t want to be paid, that’s OK”.

Campese tweeted in response: “Doug Walters tells Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed: if you don’t like the VB uniform, don’t play for Australia. Well said Doug. Tell him to go home.”

Ahmed was granted permanent residency in Australia in November and is with the one-day squad in England.

He is likely to make his one-day international debut at Old Trafford after the first game at Headingley was washed out without a ball bowled. That was the third time in the past five one-day internationals that rain has prevented any play in Leeds.

“Fawad is an Australian cricketer, he is as entitled as anyone to represent his country,” said Sutherland.

“He was made a citizen in July, he has a passport, he has chosen Australia as his home for very good reasons. The Australian cricket community has welcomed him and we’re very proud to have him.”

Sutherland added that the comments were “opportunism on some people’s parts to reflect bigoted views”.

Hashim Amla does not wear the logo of Castle Lager, South Africa’s main sponsor, and Northamptonshire’s Pakistan-born fast bowler Muhammad Azharullah did not wear a brewer’s logo during the Twenty20 Cup final.

Sutherland revealed it was CA which approached Ahmed to ask if he would be comfortable wearing the logo.

“He is a cricketer who has religious beliefs and he is an Australian. Irrespective of cultural background or religious beliefs, if you are Australian you are eligible to play cricket for Australia and if you’re good at cricket we want you in our team,” he said.

When a Twitter user challenged Campese on his comments and suggested he was being racist, the former Wallaby replied: “Well why did he come to Aussie for in the first place. A better life? Now he is telling people what he wants!”

He added: “It is not about religion, it is about sport. I don’t care about what he believes. It is about sport.

“I played under the XXXX logo. Played. I didn’t drink beer! He came to Australia for a better life? We were supported by XXXX and I was not a beer drinker. So Doug is right, go back to where you come from’.”

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