09 August 2007
Australian cricketing authorities have launched an investigation into "vicious" anti-Semitic material posted on the internet directed at a Melbourne based Jewish cricket club. Members of the Maccabi AJAX club were reportedly ‘shocked, disappointed and disgusted’ by comments posted to a ‘Facebook’ social networking website by members of rival clubs. The website called ‘FU Ajax Cricket Club’ invited contributors who were "sick of the appalling arrogance and antics of the Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club" to make comments about the club "without fear of censorship". Several comments, on the website referred to Jews and the Holocaust.
B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission executive officer Manny Waks wrote to the clubs which play against Maccabi AJAX in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, saying the "vicious" material warranted a "comprehensive investigation" and that “If the investigation concludes that players from your clubs were indeed involved in this blatant and vile anti-Semitic incident, we expect that those involved will be disciplined as soon as possible”.
Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Tony Dodemaide said the clubs were conducting their own investigations into the comments, which have since been removed from site. He said that the players involved could be suspended if a breach of Cricket Australia's racial and religious vilification policy was proven.
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