Cricket homophobia row as England captain Joe Root is forced to tell West Indies' Shannon Gabriel 'there's nothing wrong with being gay' after fiery clash over 'abusive' language

England cricket captain Joe Root slapped down a West Indian rival after alleged homophobic abuse on the pitch and told him: 'There is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

The star batsman was involved in an on-pitch row with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who was warned by the match umpires over his 'abusive' language during the third test in Saint Lucia.

It is not clear what Gabriel said but Root, who married his long-term girlfriend Carrie Cotterell in December, shot back: 'Don't use that as an insult - there is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

Tensions boiled over in the final Test of the Wisden Trophy but umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena did not lay a charge against West Indies fast bowler Gabriel, believing their on-field intervention was sufficient.

Root, who scored an unbeaten 111, said after the day's play that Gabriel said something he 'might regret' - but said he should not be punished further.

The England captain said: 'It's Test cricket, he's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field they might regret, but they should stay on the field'.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6694379/Joe-Root-tells-fast-bowler-Shannon-Gabriel-theres-wrong-gay.html

I agree with Root and he handled this very well

Thor wrote:England cricket captain Joe Root slapped down a West Indian rival after alleged homophobic abuse on the pitch and told him: 'There is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

The star batsman was involved in an on-pitch row with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who was warned by the match umpires over his 'abusive' language during the third test in Saint Lucia.

It is not clear what Gabriel said but Root, who married his long-term girlfriend Carrie Cotterell in December, shot back: 'Don't use that as an insult - there is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

Tensions boiled over in the final Test of the Wisden Trophy but umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena did not lay a charge against West Indies fast bowler Gabriel, believing their on-field intervention was sufficient.

Root, who scored an unbeaten 111, said after the day's play that Gabriel said something he 'might regret' - but said he should not be punished further.

The England captain said: 'It's Test cricket, he's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field they might regret, but they should stay on the field'.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6694379/Joe-Root-tells-fast-bowler-Shannon-Gabriel-theres-wrong-gay.html

I agree with Root and he handled this very well

Some parts of the world need to catch up. Agree with how it was handled.

Eilzel wrote:

Thor wrote:England cricket captain Joe Root slapped down a West Indian rival after alleged homophobic abuse on the pitch and told him: 'There is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

The star batsman was involved in an on-pitch row with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who was warned by the match umpires over his 'abusive' language during the third test in Saint Lucia.

It is not clear what Gabriel said but Root, who married his long-term girlfriend Carrie Cotterell in December, shot back: 'Don't use that as an insult - there is nothing wrong with being gay'.  

Tensions boiled over in the final Test of the Wisden Trophy but umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena did not lay a charge against West Indies fast bowler Gabriel, believing their on-field intervention was sufficient.

Root, who scored an unbeaten 111, said after the day's play that Gabriel said something he 'might regret' - but said he should not be punished further.

The England captain said: 'It's Test cricket, he's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field they might regret, but they should stay on the field'.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6694379/Joe-Root-tells-fast-bowler-Shannon-Gabriel-theres-wrong-gay.html

I agree with Root and he handled this very well

Some parts of the world need to catch up. Agree with how it was handled.

I think we can expand on the Eddie thread to here mate

Was it done with a homophobic intent or was it expressed to undermine the player? Poorly thinking its okay to call someone gay, is an insult, which would to me still lead to a subconscious homophobic mindset?

He was batting well and bowlers look to means to agitate the players batting, in order that they make mistakes

I suppose we need to understand why he did and whether he regrets what he said.

He should also apologise