"Why are you smiling at me? Do you like boys" - What do you make of ICC's decision to ban S Gabriel?

[Saj]

Over-reaction from Root and the ICC.

[HitWicket]

Exactly!!! There was nothing derogatory in asking, Why are u smiling at me? Do you like me, a boy?

As I've stated before, if you're asking the question (are you gay) with the intent of ridiculing someone then it clearly is homophobic.

[BaankeJi]

THat was a pretty dramatic reply from root then.

True. I suspect he was trying to make this thing bigger than it actually was. He knew that he was standing close to the mic and will be heard.

[Madplayer]

As I've stated before, if you're asking the question (are you gay) with the intent of ridiculing someone then it clearly is homophobic.

What if he asked "are you mad?" with the intention of ridiculing him? Should he be banned because he insulted people with mental health issues?

[SensiblePakFan]

Over-reaction from Root and the ICC.

Indeed, Root seized the opportunity and took full advantage, managed to change the headlines.

[aloo paratha]

He wasn't banned for making the comment. He got demerit points which added to previous offences resulted in a ban.

He made a comment that was intended to insult by implying that someone was gay. He can claim he's not a homophobe in general but he still made a homophobic comment. Criticising Root for calling out that comment is ridiculous.

This shouldn't even be worth demerit points. As harmless as it gets. What's next, can't even say stupid because it's offensive to less intelligent people? Or is it the fact that this particular group of people likes to take offense to everything?

[light]

What the heck? I was on board with Gabriel getting punished for using homosexulity term but if this is what he said ... not even a sledge/dig at this point. This is pointless. What the heck ICC?

"Do you like boys" and "stop looking at me" ... really?

[Joseph Gomes]

What the heck? I was on board with Gabriel getting punished for using homosexulity term but if this is what he said ... not even a sledge/dig at this point. This is pointless. What the heck ICC?

"Do you like boys" and "stop looking at me" ... really?

ICC pushing their LGBT agenda on people who don't agree with that lifestyle.

[giri26]

Well there has been an overreaction from Root and ICC on this. I don't think Gabriel should received a ban. Really poor this. This could have been handled better.

[Thomaskutty]

Root's reaction was very odd, you have to wonder if he was projecting his own prejudices on Gabriel?

[SensiblePakFan]

Yo DG... worlds gone nuts... let alone cricket banter buddy ����#turndownthemics ��

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) February 14, 2019

[SensiblePakFan]

After Sarfraz it’s Shannon Gabriel now who could be in trouble thanks to the stump mics. #ICC must brainstorm and decide if increased use of stump mics is actually good for the game or not.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 12, 2019

[Robert]

I am glad that Gabriel has made the effort to understand his error and has apologised. Takes a big man to do that.

[Haroon786]

As expected, people overlooking the fact that this incident on its own wouldn't have led to Gabriel's ban, he ALREADY HAD 5 DEMERIT POINTS, so this offence has resulted in a further 4 Demerit points and he has to serve a 4 match ban which is fair.

Did Gabriel's comments warrant a points infraction? I don think so but if it contravenes any ICC guidelines or regulations then by all means he should have been infracted but 4 points seems a bit excessive based o what he said.

[Robert]

@Haroon786 gives me hope for PP. Measured, considering, possessed of an understanding and appreciation of history, and a refreshing lack of arrogance.

[Torborg]

On the surface, it seems soft...but I'm quite confident that the general consensus would be different on this forum if it was racial or religious abuse to the same degree.

Abuse regarding sexuality is equally offensive as racial and religious prejudice, is it not?

[Torborg]

ICC pushing their LGBT agenda on people who don't agree with that lifestyle.

Nobody is pushing a LBGT agenda on you. Do you feel pressured to perform homosexual acts as a result of their decision?

Like it or not, homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals in most developed nations. Welcome to 2019.

[Torborg]

Well there has been an overreaction from Root and ICC on this. I don't think Gabriel should received a ban. Really poor this. This could have been handled better.

In what way do you think Root overreacted?

From my perspective, he gave a measured response.

[hadi123]

He might not be a homophobe but his comment can still be seen as homophobic. It's like when some people say stuff like "I hate Maths Class, it's so gay" but that doesn't necessarily make a person a homophobic, but like I said above, it is a homophobic comment no doubt. Don't understand why people are criticisng Joe Root, he just stuck up for gay people which is something that should be applauded and that doesn't mean that Root is gay himself. I am not black and am not related to black people in anyway for example but if someone made a racist comment about black people I would still stick up for them, remember Root himself acknowledged it wasn't anything that serious as he said he wasn't going to bother reporting it but I respect him a lot for sticking up. Overall, the ban is fair.

[Bilal7]

Wow, this is pretty dumb. This is why you should always know both sides of the story. This is not homophobic abuse, this is not even abuse.

Root's ever-present grin would get on my nerves too if I was bowling to him.

[barah_admi]

My issue with this, and even the Sarfraz issue, is that if these are the types of bans/fines that will be handed out for such comments then it has to be across the board. There can not be differences between a ban for someone from WI or Pak and someone from Australia. I always bring up Clarke threatening Jimmy iwth a broken arm, what punishment did he receive for it?

Or Aussie bowlers continuously using the f word, the c word and so on. All of that should be ban or fine worthy.

[Bilal7]

As expected, people overlooking the fact that this incident on its own wouldn't have led to Gabriel's ban, he ALREADY HAD 5 DEMERIT POINTS, so this offence has resulted in a further 4 Demerit points and he has to serve a 4 match ban which is fair.

Did Gabriel's comments warrant a points infraction? I don think so but if it contravenes any ICC guidelines or regulations then by all means he should have been infracted but 4 points seems a bit excessive based o what he said.

This deserves no attention from the ICC. It is not abuse, it is simply a guy demanding another guy to quit grinning at him.

[Torborg]

This deserves no attention from the ICC. It is not abuse, it is simply a guy demanding another guy to quit grinning at him.

...after insinuating he was gay.

I've found the response on this forum disappointing, and I'm a heterosexual married man.

If it was the same level of "not abuse" denigrating his skin colour or religion, would you have a different opinion?

We have a long way to go in this world as far as equality is concerned.

[Torborg]

In what way do you think Root overreacted?

He took a brave stand on his values, and I assume he isn't even gay.

If he took a similarly strong stance over religious or racial vilification against Moeen Ali, would you think he was over-reacting?

[ssuhaide]

Root did not overeact. This incident may be good for cricket in the long run. Players are risking fines and bans if they make ill advised statements. There is no place for talk like that. If Gabriel had said that in the workplace believe me he'd be hanging onto his job. Players are role models and it's important especially with youngster watching to set a good example.

[Hasan123]

Unnecessary ban.

[HitWicket]

My issue with this, and even the Sarfraz issue, is that if these are the types of bans/fines that will be handed out for such comments then it has to be across the board. There can not be differences between a ban for someone from WI or Pak and someone from Australia. I always bring up Clarke threatening Jimmy iwth a broken arm, what punishment did he receive for it?

Or Aussie bowlers continuously using the f word, the c word and so on. All of that should be ban or fine worthy.

I believe Clarke was sanctioned under the exact same regulation as Gabriel has been. The demerit points system wasn't in place at the time of that incident.

[Haroon786]

This deserves no attention from the ICC. It is not abuse, it is simply a guy demanding another guy to quit grinning at him.

Yes but the ICC isn't a Muslim organisation, it has to cater for all its playing members and countries, have to remember that.

[Joseph Gomes]

Nobody is pushing a LBGT agenda on you. Do you feel pressured to perform homosexual acts as a result of their decision?

Like it or not, homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals in most developed nations. Welcome to 2019.

I was speaking about undeveloped nations. They don't have nor need western morals. We shouldn't force it on them, seems like we're repeating the mistakes of colonial past.

[Robert]

I was speaking about undeveloped nations. They don't have nor need western morals. We shouldn't force it on them, seems like we're repeating the mistakes of colonial past.

Players have to abide by the ICC Code of Conduct.

[MenInG]

Players have to abide by the ICC Code of Conduct.

The Bottom Line.

[Gilly]

Unnecessary ban.

He was not banned, he received 4 demerit points.

[barah_admi]

I believe Clarke was sanctioned under the exact same regulation as Gabriel has been. The demerit points system wasn't in place at the time of that incident.

Was there a ban? I certainly do not remember it.

[TestMatch]

Remember when McGrath sledged Sarwan in a supposed homophobic manner. Sarwan replied with a personal attack to McGrath.

Sarwan got the reprimand from the ICC.

The disciplinary rules are often one sided and silly.

[HitWicket]

Was there a ban? I certainly do not remember it.

Like I said, the demerit points system wasn't in place so no, there was no ban.

[barah_admi]

Like I said, the demerit points system wasn't in place so no, there was no ban.

Yes I know but my point stands, he should have been. PLayers did get banned or fined or both even before the accumulation of the demerits points became a policy. The ICC must have the same code and rules for everyone.

[HitWicket]

Yes I know but my point stands, he should have been. PLayers did get banned or fined or both even before the accumulation of the demerits points became a policy. The ICC must have the same code and rules for everyone.

Players didn't get banned for the level of offence Clarke and Gabriel committed.

[Joseph Gomes]

Players have to abide by the ICC Code of Conduct.

I am not saying it's illegal, but unjustified. They made a huge issue out of it. Gabriel didn't abuse the gay community. Root is not a homosexual himself, Gabriel didn't deserve to be banned more than one match.

[Torborg]

I was speaking about undeveloped nations. They don't have nor need western morals. We shouldn't force it on them, seems like we're repeating the mistakes of colonial past.

International cricketers should be understanding of cultural differences as part of their employment.

I'm a caucasian atheist, and I expect Australian cricketers to show cultural sensitivity when playing against opponents who may hold different values regardless of what they are.

As an international cricketer of any nationality and/or faith, you don't have to approve of homosexuality, but you are expected to be sensitive towards the differing attitudes around the world.

If you disapprove, so be it. Just stay quiet on the subject. Nobody is forcing you to change your values.

[Torborg]

I am not saying it's illegal, but unjustified. They made a huge issue out of it. Gabriel didn't abuse the gay community. Root is not a homosexual himself, Gabriel didn't deserve to be banned more than one match.

Gabriel definitely did denigrate the gay community.

If you insult someone by insinuating that they're gay (on international tv) you're abusing the homosexual community as a whole who already have to deal with much prejudice.

[Robert]

I am not saying it's illegal, but unjustified. They made a huge issue out of it. Gabriel didn't abuse the gay community. Root is not a homosexual himself, Gabriel didn't deserve to be banned more than one match.

Yeah, he did in the same way that making a racist comment abuses communities of other races. That Root is presumably not gay us neither here nor there.

[Torborg]

Yeah, he did in the same way that making a racist comment abuses communities of other races. That Root is presumably not gay us neither here nor there.

The consensus attitude here is extremely disappointing. I'm by no means a big contributor to this forum, so my opinion doesn't matter much...but I'm considering leaving for good over the response to this saga.

I thought Muslims and mostly coloured people would be more understanding towards prejudice in general.

Fwiw..I'll find it difficult to hate Root in the next Ashes series.

[Robert]

The consensus attitude here is extremely disappointing. I'm by no means a big contributor to this forum, so my opinion doesn't matter much...but I'm considering leaving for good over the response to this saga.

I thought Muslims and mostly coloured people would be more understanding towards prejudice in general.

Fwiw..I'll find it difficult to hate Root in the next Ashes series.

I know what you mean. Some will scream blue murder at racism and Islamophobia and rightly so, yet give tacit approval to homophobia. But I would urge you to stay as you are a liberal pluralist voice and there are a few others here.