ENG vs IND: Umpires Too Lenient, Time To Penalise Abusive Language From Players Severely

Cricket Image for ENG vs IND: Umpires Too Lenient, Time To Penalise Abusive Language From Players Se (Image Source: Google)

The ugly scenes at Lord's, including one where the 'F' word was used in an audible altercation between the Indian captain Virat Kohli and England pacer James Anderson, has put the spotlight on umpires who are seemingly being lenient on players using obscene words.

According to Article 2.3 of the ICC (International Cricket Council) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the "use of an audible obscenity during an international match" constitutes a level 1 charge.

A footnote to it says, "Article 2.3 covers the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. This conduct may include, for example, swearing in frustration at one's own play or fortune."

The clause in the ICC Code of Conduct makes it clear that the umpires need to charge the guilty player under level 1 which carries an official reprimand as minimum penalty and 50 percent of match fees and one or two demerit points as the maximum penalty.

The wider debate, however, is should the umpires allow the game to be sullied by such behaviour on the field or should they call it out and make an example of the player. Cricket has traditionally been a gentleman's game.

Read More