Removal of Teeger as U-19 Proteas captain 'anti-semitic' - SAJBD
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies says the decision by Cricket South Africa to remove David Teeger as captain of the Proteas Under-19 team is anti-semitic.
Last week, CSA said David Teeger would no longer captain the SA U-19 team during the upcoming Cricket World Cup due to a potential security threat.
The tournament is set to be hosted by South Africa from 19 January.
CSA cited security concerns for the decision, saying protests related to the war in Gaza are anticipated at the venues for the tournament.
Teeger came under fire for comments he made supporting the Israel Defense Forces amid the war in Gaza when receiving the " Rising Star Award" at the Jewish Achiever Awards.
Following a meeting with the cricket body on Tuesday, SA Jewish Board of Deputies says CSA failed to provide credible evidence that there had been any real security threats.
National Chairperson Karen Milner says stripping him of the arm-band but keeping him in the squad does not guarantee his safety.
"This, together with CSA’s vacillating and contradictory responses to the questions put to them reinforces our understanding that the excuse provided for Teeger’s removal as captain, namely ‘security concerns’, is trumped up and bogus.
"The only explanation for why a young Jewish cricketer was arbitrarily stripped of his captaincy must therefore be plain anti-semitism.
The lobby group has accused the ANC of meddling in the SA Cricket's affairs.
"There are good reasons why credible sporting bodies desist from political interference.
"This should have been the case with CSA, but unfortunately, it was not. Rather, we are seeing high-level political interference with a sinister, discriminatory agenda.
"The fact that the International Cricket Council is allowing this tournament to go ahead is tacit endorsement of CSA’s action. We call on CSA to immediately reinstate David Teeger to his position as captain of the SA Under-19 team."
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