Cricket Australia gives warning over banner displayed at Big Bash League game between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder

Police investigating after men unfurl 'It's OK to be white' banner at BBL cricket match

West Australian police say they are investigating after three men unfurled an “It’s OK to be white” banner at a Big Bash League match in Perth on Thursday.

The men, aged 50, 24 and 38, were ejected after unfurling the banner at Thursday night’s match between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder. It was displayed from the stadium’s top tier for several minutes before it was taken down and the three men were ejected.

In a statement, WA police said they had issued a formal move-on notice to the men. A police spokesman said the incident was “currently under investigation”.

On Friday, Cricket Australia said it had issued a “first and final warning” to the men, but did not issue a fine or a ban following the incident.

CA said it took a “zero-tolerance approach” to racial vilification but it did not issue a fine or ban to any of the men involved.

“Three people in question were immediately removed from the venue and they will be issued a first and final warning from Cricket Australia,” a spokesman said in a statement.

Adam Collins (@collinsadam) A warning??! It was a $6000 fine for “disorderly or offensive conduct” at the same ground during the Test. If this doesn’t meet that criteria, then what does??? https://t.co/DovNr1TMVw

“Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour at any of our matches, which includes racial vilification.

“Our message to any fan attending a match is that if you display antisocial behaviour you will be removed and risk being banned from any cricket match across Australia, along with police action.

“We encourage anybody who may witness this at one of our matches to report the matter to security or a member of staff immediately.”

In a statement the West Australian sport and recreation minister, Mick Murray, said he was glad the men had been removed from the venue.

“While I don’t believe these people deserve any more publicity, there is clearly no place for racism in sport, or anywhere else,” he said. “Sport is supposed to be the great unifier so I am glad these people were quickly removed from the venue.”

The slogan has a history of affiliation with white supremacist groups overseas, including the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis.

In October, a motion supporting the statement almost passed the Australian Senate after Coalition senators voted in favour of the motion put forward by Pauline Hanson.

The Coalition later blamed an “administrative error” for supporting the motion, and voted against it in a separate motion.