ICC inquiry condemns racist fans

Andre Nel (right) was among the players targeted by spectators

The International Cricket Council has promised a crackdown to stamp out racist abuse at grounds in Australia.

It follows taunts directed at South African players during the recent VB Series tournament in Australia.

India's solicitor general Goolam Vahanvati was appointed by the ICC to conduct an inquiry.

In his report, he concluded: "It was premeditated, co-ordinated and calculated to get after the players. It is a serious matter."

The inquiry was set up following a complaint from the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

And Mr Vahanvati's findings were discussed at a two-day ICC meeting in Dubai, which ended on Tuesday.

"Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Pollock, Andre Nel and Boeta Dippenaar were all subjected to racial abuse in different places.

"It would be wrong to attribute racial abuse to South African expatriates living in Australia or explain it away as being the result of drunken behaviour," the report said.

Gerald Majola, head of the United Cricket Board, warned in January that his country could boycott Australia in future unless action was taken.

And South African captain Graeme Smith said: "I think it's something that they need to be very strong on - just like Fifa (footballs' world governing body) - and keep the game clean."

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed now plans to hold talks with Majola and his Cricket Australia counterpart James Sutherland.

"(We) will come back with recommendations for a change, if any, to the ICC anti-racism policy during the 30 April meeting," said Speed.