Plane with messages fly over Headingley
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A plane streaming the banner “Justice for Kashmir” and “India stop Genocide and free Kashmir” flew over Headingley Cricket Stadium where Sri Lanka was facing India in their final World Cup group game. The plane circled overhead flew over the venue twice early into Sri Lanka’s innings and made another two appearances in and around the 15th over of the Sri Lankan innings.
This was the second such incident at this year’s World Cup. Last week, when Pakistan played Afghanistan at the same venue, a plane with the message “Justice for Balochistan” flew over the grounds. Soon after the incident, fans from two countries brawled with each other.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement condemning yesterday’s incident and said that they are very much disappointed with the law enforcement officers who had assured them that there wouldn’t be an repeat of such incidents.
“We are incredibly disappointed this has happened again,” it said.
“We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Throughout the tournament, we have worked with local police forces around the country to prevent this type of protest occurring. After the previous incident we were assured by West Yorkshire Police there would not be repeat of this issue, so we are very dissatisfied it has happened again.”