A group of masked protesters gathered outside the hotel of the Pakistan U19 cricket team in Portsmouth after mistaking the players for asylum seekers.
Around 40 to 50 people gathered outside the Marriott hotel on Tuesday evening. The Pakistan youngsters are in England for a series against the hosts.
Reform UK councillor George Madgwick later arrived at the hotel and confirmed that the people staying there were members of the Pakistan cricket team.
“I also spoke to the coach of the team, who was very understanding,” Madgwick said.
“I went out to the protesters and told them, ‘You’ve got it wrong guys, it’s a cricket club.’ They left within a couple of minutes. It was a massively unfortunate incident.”
Madgwick said local people had seen a coach arrive with around 40 foreign men. Some then wrongly believed they were asylum seekers.
He admitted that masked people gathering outside a hotel because foreign visitors had arrived was “far from ideal”.
“It doesn’t make our city look like the welcoming city it is. But it’s reflective of the climate we live in, and where people are deeply concerned about the issues,” he said.
Madgwick had also posted on Facebook and asked people not to go to the hotel.
“There were reports that possible migrants were staying in the Marriott hotel. I can confirm that is NOT the case. Please don’t attend the hotel,” he wrote.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board following the incident. The ECB checked on the welfare of the young players and is also reviewing security for the rest of Pakistan’s tour.
The incident happened two days after hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Portsmouth following the arrival of asylum seekers by boat. Police are investigating reports of assault and criminal damage from that protest.
Pakistan U19 are currently touring England. They lost a four day match against England U19 by 10 runs and are also scheduled to play three Youth ODIs.
