Fanie de Villiers calls Pakistani fans worst in the world

The Citizen.co.za quotes Fanie de Villers claiming that Pakistani cricket fans are the worst in the word, in light of the disturbing events of crowd trouble occurring in the first test match. Sections of the crowd abused Ntini and Gibbs and supposedly threw flags at the players(?). The fans were ejected, and Gibbs was heard on the microphone cursing at then, resulting in a 2 match ban.

Former fast bowling great Fanie de Villiers told The Citizen he too had been a victim of Pakistan spectators during his playing days.“More should be done to support South African players,” said De Villiers. He also pointed out that Pakistan players had tested positive for steroids and were still allowed to play by their country, in reference to the recent case involving Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

De Villiers said one of his final games before retiring from international cricket was against Pakistan in Durban, where a group of supporters verbally abused Jacques Kallis while he was signing autographs on the boundary. “This kind of thing forces people out of the game,” he said. “They (Pakistan supporters) are absolutely the worst in the world.” He called on South African fans to stand up and support Gibbs, saying the incident involving the middle-order batsman had been blown out of proportion. Several spectators at the first Test had come forward since the event to express disgust at the behaviour of certain sections of the crowd. Some said they had seen Pakistan supporters making ape-like noises, which probably led to Gibbs’s “animal” comments.

Well, Fanie does have a point. It was unruly behaviour, uncalled for, and the guilty parties should be arrested. There are bad elements in Pakistani crowds, but why generalize? The Aussie crowds are notorious for their sledging. Indian crowds have lost control and have stopped entire games before. (Recall India vs. Sri Lanka in the World Cup 96). South Asian crowds in general, are more impassioned about their enthusiasm, but the only thing that differs from their Australia counterparts is their mode of of expression. I know problems exist, but I wouldn't call it the worst group of fans in the world. If anything, they might be the most energetic.

Secondly, the fans in South Africa who caused this trouble may not even be Pakistani. India and England were the last 2 teams to visit Pakistan. Ask them how they were received. The English-bred Pakistani supporters and the South African-bred Pakistani supporters certainly don't reflect the actions of the the spectators in Pakistan over the past few years. Things have been worse, and they are changing for the better. The Indian, English, and West Indian teams that have recently toured the country, have been impressed by the hospitality of its citizens. Fanie' reckless remarks are just adding fuel to the fire.

Punish the fans who caused the racket and ban them. We don't need their kind around us. But by the same reasoning, ban the Aussie fans who shout obsceneties at Monty etc. End of story.

The article continues its bias by pointing out other incidents of Pakistani crowd trouble to support its thesis...

Pakistan cricket supporters are no strangers to controversy, with several instances in the past where they have been accused of misbehaviour. Calls have been made in the past on the Pakistan cricket authorities to control their supporters. During a game between Pakistan and Australia at Trent Bridge in Britain in 2001, Australian captain Steve Waugh was furious at Pakistan supporters who threw fireworks onto the pitch. “They tried their best. But you cannot control idiots, can you?" stated Waugh after the game, referring to the security staff’s inability to control and keep the spectators from invading the field. A few days before the incident, Pakistan supporters had invaded the pitch at Headingley, knocking down a steward and injuring him in their rampage.