Date of Event
Victorian Turf Cricket Association:
Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:55PM
RACIAL VILIFICATION ON THE INTERNET
PRESS RELEASE BY THE VTCA
The Victorian Turf Cricket Association (“VTCA”) and Cricket Victoria became aware of acts of racial vilification directed against the Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club. The VTCA immediately contacted the McKinnon Cricket Club and insisted that the web page be taken down. The VTCA, through its President, Mr Tony Isaacs requested the Clubs involved, the McKinnon Cricket Club and the Beaumaris Cricket Club to conduct an internal investigation into the alleged vilification.
Both Clubs are to be congratulated by the competent and thorough investigation undertaken by them. Five members of the McKinnon Club were expelled or suspended by that Club. One member of the Beaumaris Club was suspended.
The VTCA has appointed an independent investigator, Mr Tony Burns to conduct a thorough investigation of these incidents. The VTCA has now received a complete report from Mr Byrnes. That report exonerates the McKinnon Cricket Club and the Beaumaris Cricket Club. However members of each Club will be charged with breaches of the VTCA Code of Behaviour. These charges will be referred to the VTCA Tribunal. That Tribunal is chaired by an independent Chairman, Mr Tim Walsh, a Barrister.
The VTCA will await the outcome of the Tribunal decision in relation to these charges.
The VTCA is aware that the Glen Eira Council has passed resolutions which impose sanctions against the McKinnon Cricket Club. The VTCA notes that the independent report prepared by Mr Burns cleared the McKinnon Cricket Club and the Beaumaris Club from any wrongdoing. In these circumstances the VTCA has requested the Glen Eira Council to immediately lift and reverse any sanctions imposed upon the McKinnon Cricket Club. These sanctions have delayed the construction of practice nets at the ground. The VTCA does not believe it is fair to sanction the McKinnon Cricket Club in this manner.