Lancashire apologises after fan removed for wearing Pakistani jersey

Lancashire County Cricket Club has issued an apology following the ejection of a Pakistani fan from Old Trafford stadium during the fourth Test match between England and India, after he was asked to cover his Pakistan team T-shirt.

The fan, Farooq Nazar, shared a video of the incident on social media, showing a security guard requesting him to conceal his green Pakistan cricket jersey. Nazar refused, and was subsequently escorted out of the stadium by police officers.

In an official statement, the club apologised for "any upset and offence caused which was not intended and will review its procedures for handling similar situations in the future".

According to the club, the day before the incident, a minor dispute had occurred between some Pakistani and Indian fans when the Pakistani flag was waved, causing tension among sections of the crowd.

Security personnel intervened calmly, and the fans voluntarily put the flag away, helping defuse the situation.

Check: Fan asked to cover Pakistan jersey during England-India test match at Old Trafford

In light of that event, the club said security staff acted with caution the following day.

"In light of this context, our team adopted a precautionary, safety-first approach on Sunday. A stand supervisor politely asked the individual to cover his shirt in the interest of his own safety and to avoid any potential escalation. Despite several courteous requests from the supervisor and the response team, the individual repeatedly declined to comply."

The statement further clarified, "Firstly, we wish to make it clear that there was no intention to remove the individual simply for wearing a Pakistan cricket shirt.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated in recent months, impacting even their cricketing relations. For instance, Indian cricketers recently refused to play two matches against Pakistan in the Legends Cricket Tournament, including a semi-final.

Now, ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup, Indian media and former cricketers are also calling for a boycott against Pakistan, a clear indication that politics are being prioritised over the sport.