A British-Pakistani cricket fan, Farooq Nazar, was removed from Old Trafford stadium on the final day of the fourth Test between England and India after he refused to take off a Pakistan cricket jersey.
According to eyewitnesses and video footage circulating online, Nazar was approached by venue security and told to either remove or cover his shirt. The officials claimed that wearing the green Pakistan jersey could “annoy Indian fans,” despite no reports of complaints or disruption from the crowd around him.
Nazar refused to comply unless he was given written instructions. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” he said in a video recorded at the venue. “I paid for this ticket like everyone else. No Indian fan here has said a word. Why should I cover my country’s shirt?”
Security staff eventually escorted him out of the stadium. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral and sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many users calling it “discrimination” and “hypocritical.”
A formal complaint has now been filed with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and local authorities. Nazar has called the incident “shocking and traumatic,” demanding an official explanation from the venue’s management.
Lancashire County Cricket Club, which manages Old Trafford, released a brief statement saying the matter is under investigation. “We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context fully,” a club spokesperson said.
Online reactions have been mixed, with most fans—both Pakistani and Indian—expressing solidarity with Nazar. Many pointed out that cricket should remain a unifying sport, not a platform for policing apparel or national identity.
The incident also raised questions about stadium policy, as it’s not uncommon for fans to wear jerseys of teams not playing in a given match. Critics argue that unless clothing promotes hate or incites violence, barring someone for wearing another nation’s jersey sets a dangerous precedent.
As of now, the ECB has not issued a public comment on the complaint.
