![BCCI reacts to Belfast riots [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781239489453_IndiaVsIrelandBCCI.jpg?type=hq)
BCCI reacts to Belfast riots [Source: AFP]
The Indian cricket team is set to tour Ireland for a two-match T20I series in Belfast starting from June 26. However, the historic series has now faced a hurdle after Belfast violence in the second week of June, which has now put Indian players under threat.
As per recent reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now on high alert after a violent attack involving anti-immigration riots erupted across Belfast on Monday, June 8, with the upcoming T20I series on the verge of cancellation because of the unsafe nature of the city.
The massive upheaval, rage, and violence had a BCCI source quote on the happenings and future of the tour.
What Happened In Belfast Ahead Of India Tour?
On Monday, emergency services responded to a severe knife attack near Kinnaird Avenue in North Belfast. A 30-year-old Sudanese migrant was subdued by bystanders and arrested by police.
The victim, identified as Stephen Ogilvie, had to undergo surgery but lost his left eye. The highly graphic video footage of the stabbing started rapidly spreading online, which agitated racial and anti-immigrant sentiment.
On June 9, the critical incident fully came to the forefront of the public, and massive gatherings began, with severe rioting escalating.
Rioters hijacked and burned a city bus, torched parked cars, and set fire to several residential homes suspected of housing immigrants. This massive riot didn't stop and continued for the next few days, with Belfast trying to control the chaos between the police and the rioters, where daily reports came in of injured people and personnel.
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Moreover, this was a racial response from Belfast, and there was a huge fight over driving away immigrants from Ireland. In that regard, the Indian cricket team might also be a target of racial attack, and it is not safe to go there and participate in the matches.
Will BCCI Cancel The India vs Ireland series?
The T20I series between India and Ireland is set to be played in Belfast, and the deteriorating situation ahead of the series has now heightened the concerns for the apex cricket body of India.
As per Jagran News, a BCCI source has revealed that the current situation in Belfast is being closely monitored and stated that it will depend on Cricket Ireland whether the two matches will be held.
If Cricket Ireland opts to neutralise any threat to the Indian cricket team and sends a request to play the match, BCCI will consider it.
Cricket Ireland’s Response And Cancellation Update
In response, Cricket Ireland has also shared that it is keeping a close eye on the situation in the affected areas and said that the board is in constant touch with local administration and provincial unions, as they are set to decide what will happen to the T20I series within the next 48 hours.
The matches of the domestic Irish Senior Cup and National Cup are scheduled to start from June 14. Hence, not only is the India vs Ireland T20I series compromised, but the domestic matches are also facing a threat of not being played.
As of now, no official update on the cancellation of the tour has been provided, but there’s a possibility that the India vs Ireland T20I series might get relocated due to the volatile nature of Belfast in the current days.
Nevertheless, Cricket Ireland has emphasised that the safety of players, coaches, match officials, and spectators will be the main priority, and any changes in the situation will be shared with both BCCI and the general public. any changes in the situation will be shared with both BCCI and the general public.
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