Shannon Gabriel has been suspended for four ODIs for breach of ICC code of conduct [Update Post#103]

[Abdullah719]

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West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was given a warning by on-field umpires over the use of abusive language during Day 3 of the ongoing third Test against England at Gros Islet.

During the afternoon session of play on Monday, Shannon Gabriel was spotted having a heated exchange with England captain Joe Root and his batting partner Joe Denly. In a video circulating online, Root can be heard on the stump mic calling out the West Indies pacer for use of abusive language.

"There is nothing wrong with being gay," Root can be heard telling Gabriel after the pacer has had a go at the two England batsmen. While Root's voice can be heard on the stump mic, it's unclear what Gabriel had told the two batsmen.

However, Root, during the post-match press conference, revealed that Gabriel might have said something that the pacer would regret. Nonetheless, Root hasn't reported about the incident to officials and suggested such exchanges should stay on the field.

"Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field," Root said.

He added: "It's Test cricket and he [Gabriel] is an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. He is a good guy who plays hard cricket and is proud to be in the position he is. The battle was a good contest, he has had a wonderful series and he should be proud."

Even the officials have reportedly understood to have told match referee, Jeff Crowe, that they didn't hear anything that would get Gabriel into trouble with regards to ICC's Code of Conduct.

If it is untoward, we will be addressing it: West Indies head coach

West Indies head coach Richard Pybus, meanwhile, said he had no knowledge of any comment made by Gabriel but insisted that the team would be addressing the issue if the comment is found to be "untoward".

"Nothing has been reported to me. If a comment was made, we will review it. And if it was untoward, we will be addressing it," Pybus said, as quoted by The Guardian.

Joe Root led England's charge with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 111, his first hundred in the ongoing series. The visiting England team were blown away in the first two Tests and handed an unbeatable 2-0 lead to the West Indies. However, Root's men have fought back in St Lucia and are on course to seal a consolation win.

Without their suspended captain Jason Holder, West Indies lacked fire in the pace department and the England batsmen made full use of it. Root had stitched a 74-run stand with Denly who made 66 from just 99 balls.

Jos Buttler made a half-century while Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 29 along with his captain Root as England extended their lead to 448 runs. West Indies were notably bowled out for 154 in the first innings after Mark Wood and Moeen Ali ran through the hosts' batting order.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...-vs-england-3rd-test-video-1453850-2019-02-12

 

[light]

'this is not going to go down well for gabriel.

 

[Robert]

Reads like Root is trying to rise above, and calm the situation down. Good stuff.

 

[MenInG]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

 

[JattMaula]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

Yup. No place for Homophobia in cricket.

 

[Sher Khan]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

Well, nothing has been picked up by the stump mics.

 

[Abid Z]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

We don’t know what Gabriel actually said...but we all could hear what Sarfaraz said. There’s a difference.

 

[Mamoon]

I am only interested in how WICB deals with this. Hopefully Cameron will have more shame and self-respect than Mani.

 

[TM Riddle]

If he really did make homophobic comments then stern action should be taken but this begets another question , where do we draw the line?
For instance , Subcontinental players might find it offensive when subjected to abuses targeted towards their family members. Should ICC step in there as well?
Quite a complicated issue tbh.

 

[jagatk]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

If he said something untoward, right now no one except root and maybe the unpires know what was said.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If he really did make homophobic comments then stern action should be taken but this begets another question , where do we draw the line?
For instance , Subcontinental players might find it offensive when subjected to abuses targeted towards their family members. Should ICC step in there as well?
Quite a complicated issue tbh.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[MenInG]

If he said something untoward, right now no one except root and maybe the unpires know what was said.

Well then Root should be asked and Gabriel also asked and then a decision made. Clearly Root heard something.

 

[TM Riddle]

Well then Root should be asked and Gabriel also asked and then a decision made. Clearly Root heard something.

And what if Gabriel denies and Root stays firm on his decision?
I can see the allegations of 'racism' emerging if ICC decides to take Root's word.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Too sensitive these days. It's a man's sport stop banning players for every little thing.

 

[jagatk]

Well then Root should be asked and Gabriel also asked and then a decision made. Clearly Root heard something.

As of now there isn't any evidence to support root though, I misread the report and it seems the umpires heard nothing. We are entering he said she said territory here and don't think root will go public without proof and he would come of a sore loser here if gabriel denies it. This isn't cut and dry like the sarfaraz situation.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Well then Root should be asked and Gabriel also asked and then a decision made. Clearly Root heard something.

Then it will be one man's word againist another.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After Sarfraz it’s Shannon Gabriel now who could be in trouble thanks to the stump mics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICC</a> must brainstorm and decide if increased use of stump mics is actually good for the game or not.</p>— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/1095150289118625793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[WengerOut]

Classic Manju . To eradicate racism , remove the stump mic

 

[BreadPakoda]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After Sarfraz it’s Shannon Gabriel now who could be in trouble thanks to the stump mics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICC</a> must brainstorm and decide if increased use of stump mics is actually good for the game or not.</p>— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/1095150289118625793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And remove security cameras from jewelry stores too as lots of thieves are getting caught these days..

 

[MenInG]

let stick to cricket related issues here.

 

[Balthazar]

Backward culture has been shown by Gabriel here. ICC should come down hard on such behaviours.

 

[Madplayer]

Backward culture has been shown by Gabriel here. ICC should come down hard on such behaviours.

He is just a subset of 7 billion people of the world, majority of whom agree with him for one reason or the other.

 

[Rana]

What are the limits of sledging? If a player is too scared to play the short ball are you allowed to rip into him?

 

[Major]

cricket is now becoming a game of sissies.

next thing you know, you are getting banned for swearing

 

[Major]

also there is difference betweel being racist and calling someone gay.

it would be ridiculous if ban is given out for this

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Gabriel should be punished if he has made homophobic comments. No place for such nonsense in our sport. Should apologise as well.

 

[silentkiller187]

Homosexuality is actually illegal in some parts of the Caribbean, especially where Gabriel comes from, similar to Sarfraz, i blame culture and tradition rather than race or homophobia. lets see what the ICC do, will be difficult if they did not pick up what Gabriel said.

 

[TM Riddle]

also there is difference betweel being racist and calling someone gay.

it would be ridiculous if ban is given out for this

Homosexuals have been historically discriminated and prejudiced against for having a different sexual orientation by the mainstream society.
This is by no means a small thing and as trivial as you are making it out to be.

 

[boomboomcheema]

So now all the Cricketers are also supposed to be Pro-Homos.

You can't play the game if you are not supporter of Man and Man relations )

 

[Chokli]

Too sensitive these days. It's a man's sport stop banning players for every little thing.

It's the 2020s mate not 1980s

 

[Markhor]

also there is difference betweel being racist and calling someone gay.

it would be ridiculous if ban is given out for this

Eh ?

There's no room for racism or homophobia in the workplace.

 

[Rafa]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

So you think homosexuality is normal?

 

[Syed1]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] will you now paint all Englishmen as homophobic like you labeled all Pakistanis as racist, or the rules are different if your skin color is white?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Good response by Root though. Bad choice of sledging by Shannon. Mitch Johnson covered his mouth when he said something to Root in the Ashes. These guys dont' realize they have cameras, mic everything else?

 

[Tubs]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] will you now paint all Englishmen as homophobic like you labeled all Pakistanis as racist, or the rules are different if your skin color is white?

You do realise that it seems like Gabriel, a black man, was the one who (most likely) made a homophobic remark, not Root?

 

[Markhor]

If he really did make homophobic comments then stern action should be taken but this begets another question , where do we draw the line?
For instance , Subcontinental players might find it offensive when subjected to abuses targeted towards their family members. Should ICC step in there as well?
Quite a complicated issue tbh.

Despite the game's financial power shifting eastwards, the sport's moral code if you will is still governed by western cultural values.

In the west, there's a long documented history of discrimination towards racial minorities and LGBT communities that has led to great shame and guilt. Bigotry has a far greater stigma whereas abuse of family members is, well, abuse or even acceptable banter. For example, former Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson in 2004 was heard using the N word on television commentary. He's never had a commentating job since.

Objectively, I'd argue racial and homophobic remarks are worse than abusing family members because these minorities have spent decades trying to gain an equal footing in society and often are at a power disadvantage. When sporting role models or public figures on worldwide television use pejorative remarks or further negative stereotypes (i.e. referring to someone by their skin colour, gays are sissies, calling a bearded Hashim Amla a terrorist) you dehumanise them.

However we're only implying what Shannon Gabriel based on Joe Root's response so it's best to let ICC investigate.

 

[silentkiller187]

and to top it off Gabriel gets roots wicket, should have blown him kiss as a celebration?

 

[a_tahir]

also there is difference betweel being racist and calling someone gay.

it would be ridiculous if ban is given out for this

In this era, both are treated the same. Same punishment.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Good from Root

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Not sure why Root got triggered, he's not a homo himself. No different than making sexual remark about someone's mother.

 

[GenericBrand]

Not sure why Root got triggered, he's not a homo himself. No different than making sexual remark about someone's mother.

Might have friends or family that are Gay and took it personal

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Might have friends or family that are Gay and took it personal

So he's just being a *****. Family members have been getting sledged in cricket since forever. The world has enough moral police as it is, if Root doesn't like sledging he can just make it clear, no need to come up with excuses.

 

[hadi123]

Fair play to Joe Root! Ironic that a man called Shannon presumably made a homophobic remark, wonder what he actually said. [MENTION=146594]BreadPakoda[/MENTION]'s post was funny about cameras catching thieves, stumps mic is fine. If it becomes clear what Gabriel said, I hope he gets banned, can't believe some people on here are brushing off homophobia as a minor issue. There is no place for it in 2019, wish people would stop living in the stone ages, who cares if someone is gay! Quite a big deal is being made of what Joe Root has said, he is getting a lot of good PR. Quite a lot of respect has been lost for Gabriel if he really is homophobic.

 

[hadi123]

So you think homosexuality is normal?

??? Doesn't matter if it's 'normal' or not, homophobia is crime, I could get into it but if you wanna have a discussion about homosexuality, TPS is probably a better place to go, don't want to make this thread a whole debate on homosexuality. Lots of people have got into trouble as a result of being homophobic, so if ICC do take action into this, there is a chance Gabriel could be in some trouble, but Root said he doesn't want to take things further and if stump cam didn't pick up what he said, he might get away with it. Anyway, I hope WI can offer some explanation anyway cos that's poor by Gabriel if true and would put a blemish on what has been a good series for them.

 

[GenericBrand]

So he's just being a *****. Family members have been getting sledged in cricket since forever. The world has enough moral police as it is, if Root doesn't like sledging he can just make it clear, no need to come up with excuses.

Lol, he didn't even report it...

 

[as-95]

There is no evidence of this as the mic didn’t pick up Gabriel’s words so it’s Gabriel’s word against Root’s. Sarfraz was caught in the act but Gabriel will be able to get away with this by denial...

 

[as-95]

Also, what happened to freedom of speech? If someone is against homosexuality, he should be able to oppose it as he wishes without bein vilified. On the other hand, someone can defend it if they want to as well.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Lol bunch of snowflakes scared of the word "gay", tired of this outrage gay defending culture

 

[shortbread]

Well Gabriel would be smart and must have mumbled it, just loud enough for the English batsman to hear.

Only an idiot would scream abuse loud enough for the stump mics to pick it up!

 

[ManFan]

Also, what happened to freedom of speech? If someone is against homosexuality, he should be able to oppose it as he wishes without bein vilified. On the other hand, someone can defend it if they want to as well.

It still exists but only results in career terminations and fines.

 

[Zaz]

Also, what happened to freedom of speech? If someone is against homosexuality, he should be able to oppose it as he wishes without bein vilified. On the other hand, someone can defend it if they want to as well.

freedom of speech doesnt extend to any sort of discrimanatory hateful remarks

theres laws in the west that protect individuals rights against homophobic comments and discrimination so a slur such as the one gabriel purported to make is highly sensitive and illegal in the west

if its proved he did make such a comment the ICC need to act

 

[Muhammad Saad]

What next? A rule where players must wear skirt and have ponytails while playing? Ah and no sledging or bad mouthing each other, bad kitties.

 

[Pakistanian]

I remember Shoaib Malik telling in an interview that Mark Boucher used a homophobic slur against him in afrikaan, I guess they should punish him too.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Same action as one against Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to be taken.

You mean WCIB should not take any action and write a half witted apology saying what he said was understood? Or you mean ICC should take action.

 

[Markhor]

So he's just being a *****. Family members have been getting sledged in cricket since forever. The world has enough moral police as it is, if Root doesn't like sledging he can just make it clear, no need to come up with excuses.

Yes objecting to homophobia makes you part of "moral police".

Continue to enlighten us all on your prejudices.

 

[Markhor]

Amazes me how some desis will whine ceaselessly about being victims of racism in the west but when they're called out on their own prejudices you are apparently part of a moral police or a snowflake.

 

[Saj]

Shannon Gabriel has been charged with a breach of Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by Match Referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further.

 

[Sachin136]

Not sure why Root got triggered, he's not a homo himself. No different than making sexual remark about someone's mother.

It doesn't matter. Racist and homophobic comments are off limits for good reason.

 

[Boi]

It’s just going to be Roots word against Gabriel’s. There’s no evidence of what Gabriel even said. Not sure why they’re making such a big deal out of this when no one knows what was said.

 

[Sachin136]

freedom of speech doesnt extend to any sort of discrimanatory hateful remarks

theres laws in the west that protect individuals rights against homophobic comments and discrimination so a slur such as the one gabriel purported to make is highly sensitive and illegal in the west

if its proved he did make such a comment the ICC need to act

Even when you don't have hate speech laws, freedom of speech doesn't mean that a private organization can't reprimand you for something you say. The ICC can certainly fine him for it.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

We don’t know what Gabriel actually said...but we all could hear what Sarfaraz said. There’s a difference.

Yes, you cant just assume.

 

[superman]

Fair play to Joe Root! Ironic that a man called Shannon presumably made a homophobic remark, wonder what he actually said. [MENTION=146594]BreadPakoda[/MENTION]'s post was funny about cameras catching thieves, stumps mic is fine. If it becomes clear what Gabriel said, I hope he gets banned, can't believe some people on here are brushing off homophobia as a minor issue. There is no place for it in 2019, wish people would stop living in the stone ages, who cares if someone is gay! Quite a big deal is being made of what Joe Root has said, he is getting a lot of good PR. Quite a lot of respect has been lost for Gabriel if he really is homophobic.

Nothing to do with the stone ages, in many parts of the world homesexuality is a crime, many people find it disgusting and unatural. Fair play to root as to him culturally its acceptable and he let him know his viewpoint on it. In Pakistan the majority of people find homosexuality unacceptable and I belive a similar percentage in the west indies. It’s something that many people find as bad as incest. The ICC does however have rules agisng any kind of discrimination so WI will be in trouble and he should have known this

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Imagine back in the day when stump mics didnt exist.

The field of play would only have boundary riders left))

 

[Usman]

I don't support any type of abuse whatsoever. However, I also appreciate that cricket it is a sport which means it is played on high adrenaline, in front of the pressure of international audiences and by people who are, by their very nature, passionate and rough around the edges. It is no suprise therefore that players say things which in an everyday workplace would be unacceptable.

I'm afraid the idea to turn up stump mikes is a bad one, because it gives oxygen to the odd comment that is picked up on the mikes. These aee comments made in the moment by players who don't really mean them.

 

[JattMaula]

I don't support any type of abuse whatsoever. However, I also appreciate that cricket it is a sport which means it is played on high adrenaline, in front of the pressure of international audiences and by people who are, by their very nature, passionate and rough around the edges. It is no suprise therefore that players say things which in an everyday workplace would be unacceptable.

I'm afraid the idea to turn up stump mikes is a bad one, because it gives oxygen to the odd comment that is picked up on the mikes. These aee comments made in the moment by players who don't really mean them.

If we let these high performance athletes act as they wish when they are high on adrenaline then we will have daylight killings in an Australia vs England match.

Stokes vs Warner. UFC will go bankrupt!

 

[JattMaula]

Stokes apparently was defending two homosexual guys when he almost killed some people in streats.

Couldn't he fight it out with Gabriel to defend Root? It would have made international headlines. Test cricket needs this. [MENTION=14959]bcci[/MENTION]CC

 

[Pete Rose]

I fee the absence of mics has held back the development of more clever sledging in cricket.

 

[Space Cat]

Bigotry or Racism has absolutely no place on the sports field.

Its worrying a few people here seem to have no issue with it.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Instead of focusing on cricket it looks like ICC is turning into some kind of moral police and they seem to be thriving on these 'gotcha' moments captured on stump mic.

I predict it won't be too long when the only subject left for conversation between the opposing players on the field will be to talk about the weather!

 

[kingusama92]

Instead of focusing on cricket it looks like ICC is turning into some kind of moral police and they seem to be thriving on these 'gotcha' moments captured on stump mic.

I predict it won't be too long when the only subject left for conversation between the opposing players on the field will be to talk about the weather!

I'm sure players can sledge without being racist/homophobic.

 

[WengerOut]

Stokes apparently was defending two homosexual guys when he almost killed some people in streats.

Couldn't he fight it out with Gabriel to defend Root? It would have made international headlines. Test cricket needs this. [MENTION=14959]bcci[/MENTION]CC

Nobody will want to be on the other side of Gabriel

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Gay apologists everywhere and when they defend it by saying "this is not religious conversation" they have lost every "bit of faith they had by not even thinking that it is wrong"

They exchange religion for a very small price.

Sorry to say.

 

[James]

Great stuff from Root, whose words & actions are rightly making big news and being widely shared as a brave, positive example of standing by a marginalised minority community.

Let us see what the ICC investigation unearths.

RE some of the responses here, everyone is of course entitled to their opinion, but some of them are quite disappointing to read because they obviously come from a position of deep personal prejudice.

Overall though the response on PP is clearly more supportive towards Root, and a lesser amount of posts have defended homophobic attitudes, which is good progress when I think about some of the historic Time Pass “bigot-fest” threads on this subject.

 

[TestMatch]

The Caribbean has still not gone through its equivalent of the West's feminist and gay rights movements. Gabriel is himself from Trinidad, a massively homophobic place, thanks largely to the influence of the church and macho street culture (it recently decriminalized homosexual acts/marriage, one of the few places in the Caribbean to have done so).

What Root said was classy, understated but powerful, and will hopefully prompt Gabriel to do some thinking. But such social/cultural changes will take generations to fade in the Caribbean (and other Third World nations).

 

[superman]

Fair play to Joe Root! Ironic that a man called Shannon presumably made a homophobic remark, wonder what he actually said. [MENTION=146594]BreadPakoda[/MENTION]'s post was funny about cameras catching thieves, stumps mic is fine. If it becomes clear what Gabriel said, I hope he gets banned, can't believe some people on here are brushing off homophobia as a minor issue. There is no place for it in 2019, wish people would stop living in the stone ages, who cares if someone is gay! Quite a big deal is being made of what Joe Root has said, he is getting a lot of good PR. Quite a lot of respect has been lost for Gabriel if he really is homophobic.

The Caribbean has still not gone through its equivalent of the West's feminist and gay rights movements. Gabriel is himself from Trinidad, a massively homophobic place, thanks largely to the influence of the church and macho street culture (it recently decriminalized homosexual acts/marriage, one of the few places in the Caribbean to have done so).

What Root said was classy, understated but powerful, and will hopefully prompt Gabriel to do some thinking. But such social/cultural changes will take generations to fade in the Caribbean (and other Third World nations).

Who says we third world nations want the type of social change where where homosexuality is not widely accepted/encouraged?

 

[Bilal7]

Gabriel should be punished for abusing Root, this type of sledging needs to be stopped. It is not entertaining and does nothing positive for the game.

However, the cricket field is no place to promote such causes, the ECB would do well to remember that Moeen Ali was penalized for wearing armbands for a humanitarian cause.

Homosexuality is illegal in most parts of the "West Indies", just like it is illegal in many other cricket-playing countries. People need to acknowledge this reality. Joe Root said nothing wrong and yes, he should be commended for his mature response but some people here need to keep their activism off the field of play.

 

[Space Cat]

You dont have to agree with somebodies life choices to treat them like a human being. The insecurity of some here is mindboggling really. There is no place for bigotry in International sport especially cricket and its not going to change any time soon.

If you dont like to it watch something else.

 

[AMSS]

Moral victory is England's.

 

[as-95]

freedom of speech doesnt extend to any sort of discrimanatory hateful remarks

theres laws in the west that protect individuals rights against homophobic comments and discrimination so a slur such as the one gabriel purported to make is highly sensitive and illegal in the west

if its proved he did make such a comment the ICC need to act

This is fake news so please cite your sources. In places like the UK for example, behaviour that is not "threatening and abusive" is perfectly legal. People insult each other on a daily basis and this will never change. It is not outlawed either as long as violence/threars are not involved.

Therefore, i have come to the conclusion that Gabriel is well within his right to use homophobic slurs against Joe Root.

Whilst being highly unprofessional, i see nothing wrong with what he said as it is his freedom of expression.

 

[Chrish]

Classy response from Root. Comes out as very decent and humble guy in all interviews I have seen.

As for freedom of speech band-wagon, would it have been completely okay too if someone had made anti-Islamic slur??

Freedom of speech is fine on the street, but not on the tv representating your country.