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Joe Root widely praised for response to Shannon Gabriel

"It's important anti-LGBT language is challenged at live sporting events," says Stonewall's Kirsty Clarke

Last Updated: 12/02/19 5:28pm

0:28
Joe Root has suggested that bowler Shannon Gabriel 'might regret' words used in an on-field exchange
Joe Root has suggested that bowler Shannon Gabriel 'might regret' words used in an on-field exchange

England captain Joe Root has been praised by Stonewall, the UK's leading LGBT equality charity, for challenging Windies bowler Shannon Gabriel during the third Test in St Lucia.

After an exchange between the pair on Monday, Root appeared to tell Gabriel: "Don't use it as an insult. There's nothing wrong with being gay."

Root's comments could be heard on television having been picked up via the stump microphone, but Gabriel's part of the conversation was not audible.

0:24
Stonewall's Robbie de Santos told Sky News that Root's expression of support for the LGBT community will have a significant impact across the sporting world
Stonewall's Robbie de Santos told Sky News that Root's expression of support for the LGBT community will have a significant impact across the sporting world

Kirsty Clarke, director of sport at Stonewall - which campaigns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, and runs the Rainbow Laces campaign which is supported by Sky Sports - said: "Language is really influential, and it's great if Joe Root was willing to challenge potentially abusive comments.

"The more players, fans, clubs, and organisations that stand up for equality in sport, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make sport everyone's game.

"Stonewall research shows more than half of British people (58 per cent) believe it's important anti-LGBT language is challenged at live sporting events."

"There is no room for homophobic abuse, on or off a cricket field, & Joe Root as an England captain and a role model dealt with it absolutely perfectly." - @nassercricket

📺 Watch #WIvENG live: https://t.co/eWNhQVWpaS
📰 Live blog: https://t.co/mRDVHdqH3v pic.twitter.com/hgIlp0Ep8u

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 12, 2019

Former England captain Nasser Hussain, in St Lucia in his role as a commentator for Sky Sports, tweeted his admiration for Root's stance.

"I don't know who said what to whom... but boy do I applaud Joe Root's reaction here," Hussain wrote. "For me, his 12 words as a role model will be in the end more important than a Test hundred or possible victory."

There was also support from the football world, with Gary Lineker posting footage of the incident, accompanied by the caption "perfect response", while another former England footballer, Ian Wright tweeted "well played and well said Sir".

1:23
Speaking to Sky News, Chris Sherwood of LGBT-inclusive cricket club Grace's has called on the International Cricket Council to do more to address the issue of homophobia in the sport
Speaking to Sky News, Chris Sherwood of LGBT-inclusive cricket club Grace's has called on the International Cricket Council to do more to address the issue of homophobia in the sport

Speaking after finishing day three on 111 not out, Root gave a measured assessment of the on-field exchange but would not be drawn on the words used by Gabriel.

"It's Test cricket," he said. "He's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field."

Also See:

  • Root: Gabriel 'might regret' words
  • Windies vs England scorecard

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