The racial row involving Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir and a cricket fan has become the talk of the town after the recently concluded Johannesburg ODI between South Africa and India.  Cricket South Africa have come out in support of the veteran leggie, saying that Tahir was verbally and racially abused by an unknown man throughout the fourth one-day international.

“From Imran’s perspective, he was racially and verbally abused by a certain gentleman throughout the match. He reported it to the stadium security who were stationed in front of the dressing room,” Mohammad Moosajee, the manager of South Africa cricket team, quoted as saying by IOL.

Tahir, who did not feature in Saturday's fourth ODI against India, has earlier claimed that he was racially abused by the members of Johannesburg crowd. However, a video surfaced on Monday (February 12) wherein the 38-year-old spinner can be seen confronting with the spectators.

“I wanna see how he can abuse me,” Tahir can be heard saying. 

“Yes, but it’s not right what you’re doing. You’re a South African cricketer,” a woman can be heard quoting.

“Obviously, that’s why I came. Because he was abusing me. Does he have any manners? I have a family as well,” retorts Tahir. 

“What kind of a sportsman is that man, he’s a disgrace to this country,” The woman then can be heard responding back. 

In defense to Tahir, Cricket South Africa had said they are aware of the video footage of Tahir being circulated on social media.

According to the statement: “Tahir reported the incident to the stadium security, and was subsequently accompanied by two security personnel to identify and to have the man ejected from the stadium.

"Tahir made no physical contact with the offender or any of the children in the vicinity. The incident is under investigation with the CSA and stadium security teams," the statement concluded.