PCA chief executive Angus Porter apologises for Moeen Ali comments

Professional Cricketers' Association chief executive Angus Porter has apologised for attempting to play down the abuse suffered by England's Moeen Ali.

Moeen was booed by some Indian fans in the crowd at Edgbaston during the hosts' three-run victory in Sunday's T20 match, something Porter initially suggested the batsman should take "as a positive".

The player's father Munir believed it was because of Moeen's Pakistani background, and police treated the matter as a "non-crime hate-related incident" after an official complaint from a spectator.

Porter claimed the abuse suffered by Worcestershire player Ali should not be seen in a negative light, claiming: "There is an element of taking it as a compliment. You are more likely to boo someone when you think they are someone to be feared.

'Sorry'

"Take it as a positive, you'd rather be booed than ignored."

But following a barrage of criticism, particularly on social media, Porter backtracked and insisted he takes the matter of racism seriously.

"I made a mistake by suggesting racism does not matter and I do condemn it unreservedly,” he added later.

"I started by saying that in the interview but I also tried to play down the situation because Moeen does not want it to become a major issue.

"But in trying to play it down I succeeded in doing the reverse and I am sorry.

"It is very important that I make it clear that racist behaviour is condemned unequivocally and I am happy to say that."