Asserting that racism had no place in cricket, Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar and his Cricket Australia counterpart Creagh O’Connor on Wednesday issued a joint statement, vowing to stand by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Racism Code.

The statement comes in the wake of allegations that all-rounder Andrew Symo-nds had been subjected to racial abuse in Vadodara and Nagpur, though local authorities and the BCCI have disputed the claim.

Without actually confirming the veracity of the claims, Pawar joined O’Connor to say racism had no place in cricket, on or off the field.

Pointing out that racism was not confined to any particular country but was a global problem, they added, “Cricket crowds in all cricket nations are often noisy and boisterous, which is part of the fun of cricket,” they said.

“But all cricket nations have to be on guard to ensure that the fun does not cross the boundary into unacceptable behaviour. If it does, it is our expectation that the specifics of the ICC Anti-Racism Code be enforced without fear or favour.

“Players of all countries have a right to expect they will be treated with respect wherever they play in the world.

Spectators, team officials or players who are concerned about inappropriate behaviour of other people at venues should draw that behaviour to the attention of venue authorities immediately so that it can be assessed on the spot and, if appropriate, addressed immediately rather than being reviewed via media reports published well after the crowd has gone home,” they added.

Pawar and O’Connor said they were concerned the ICC Anti-Racism Code could only work if it was genuinely embraced for the intent it sought to achieve. They said they had instructed their respective managements to ensure that the objectives of the Code were understood and implemented appropriately at all venues.