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Racist Abuse of Jofra Archer Against Everything Kiwis are About, Says Kane Williamson
By Shruti - Nov 27, 2019 4:19 pm
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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has apologised to England pacer Jofra Archer as he faced some racist abuse during the Test match in Mount Maunganui, saying the incident was “against everything that Kiwis are about”. Jofra Archer has alleged that one spectator insulted him at the end of the first Test, which England lost by an innings and 65 runs on Monday. His assertion led New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to offer an apology and start an investigation on that as well.

archer
Jofra Archer

“It’s certainly against everything that we as Kiwis are about, and I certainly hope that nothing like that ever happens again,” Kane Williamson told ‘Stuff.co.nz’. “I can only apologise on behalf of Kiwis to Jofra, not only from our team and how we look to conduct ourselves, but what we expect of Kiwis in general.”

He further added that New Zealand is a respectful multi-cultural society where racial abuse doesn’t hold a place.

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“It’s a horrific thing. In a country, and a setting where it is very much multi-cultural, it’s something we need to put to bed quickly and hope nothing like that ever happens again. It certainly won’t if there’s any influence we can have on it,” he said. “Was I shocked? Absolutely, 100 percent. I will try see him over the next few days if I can, definitely.”

The NZC also earlier said that it has zero tolerance over the incident.

“NZC has zero tolerance towards abusive or offensive language at any of its venues and will refer any developments in the case to police,” the media release read.

England’s director of cricket Ashley Giles also expressed his displeasure about the incident.

“It’s a shame that sort of thing is still in society,” Giles told reporters after Archer faced the racial abuse.