Watch: Pakistani fan escorted out at India-England match in Manchester; here's why
Spectator says no fans complained about his green jersey
DUBAI: A British-Pakistani cricket fan was removed from Old Trafford after refusing to cover his Pakistan team jersey during the final day of the England vs India fourth Test.
The man, Farooq Nazar, is a journalist who recorded the confrontation on video, which has since gone viral.
Security personnel at the Manchester venue asked Nazar to either remove or conceal his green Pakistan jersey. According to Nazar, stewards told him the attire “might annoy Indian fans” and could be considered “nationalistic”. When he requested a written directive, none was provided, and additional stewards were brought in.
— farooq nazar (@mf_nazar) July 29, 2025
Escorted from venue
Nazar, who had purchased a ticket, insisted he had committed no offence and pointed out that no other fans had objected. He can be heard in the video stating, “I will not cover the jersey because I am representing the country. You can take me out by force.”
Eventually, he was approached by a police officer and escorted out after refusing to comply. He later filed formal complaints with the England and Wales Cricket Board and local authorities. The hosting club, Lancashire County Cricket Club, confirmed it is investigating the matter.
Venue policy unclear
While some reports referenced attire rules from other venues, it remains uncertain whether Old Trafford explicitly prohibits non-participating team gear. The match itself ended in a draw, with England leading the five-Test series 2–1. Despite the on-field action, the incident drew significant attention across media outlets and social platforms, fuelling wider discussions about fan expression and neutrality in sport.
Lancashire officials have stated, “We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context surrounding the matter fully.”