Kanpur: A Bangladeshi cricket fan, famous for his tiger costume, recently made headlines by claiming he was harassed by Indian spectators during the second Test match between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. The fan, known as Robbie, who attends most Bangladesh matches, shared his distress in videos and pictures that quickly went viral. However, local authorities have dismissed these allegations as baseless, adding another layer of confusion to the incident.
The Incident at the Stadium
The alleged harassment took place on the first day of the second and final Test match between India and Bangladesh. Robbie was sitting in Stand C, dressed in his signature tiger costume and waving the Bangladesh flag, when the incident reportedly occurred. Initially, Robbie suggested he had been involved in a physical altercation with Indian spectators. Videos of him crying and looking distressed further fueled the controversy.
However, Indian police investigating the matter denied that any such scuffle took place, stating, “There were some reports of attack, but these are baseless. No such incident happened to him.”
Robbie’s Past Antics Raise Doubts
Several Bangladeshi journalists have pointed out that this isn’t the first time Robbie has made such claims. Robbie has a history of making similar accusations during previous cricket matches, including one in Chennai. His actions have led some to question whether his latest allegations were an attempt to create media attention rather than an actual case of harassment.
Robbie’s Statement After the Incident
In a video clip recorded after the incident, Robbie mentioned that he had fallen ill and that the police took him to the hospital. “I am feeling better now. My name is Robbie, and I come from Bangladesh,” he stated.
A UPCA official also commented that Robbie was in pain and seemed disoriented when he was helped out of the stand. “When he came out, he was groaning in pain. He was given a chair to sit, but he fell down,” the official added.
Robbie’s Earlier Warning on Social Media
Interestingly, just a day before the incident, Robbie had posted on social media, suggesting that Bangladesh supporters might face harassment during the match in Kanpur. He hinted at a possible conspiracy, even claiming that they could be stopped from entering the stadium. Despite this, Robbie declared that he was ready for any trouble and would support his team from outside if necessary.
While the truth behind the incident remains unclear, the conflicting statements and Robbie’s past actions have raised more questions than answers. For now, the incident seems to be more of a misunderstanding or health-related issue rather than an intentional act of harassment.
