Australian Rugby
Campese slammed for 'bigoted views'
ESPN Staff
September 6, 2013
Australia's David Campese acknowledges the crowd after his final international appearance, Wales v Australia, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, December 1, 1996
David Campese is no stranger to controversy © Getty Images
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Cricket Australia has criticised ex-Wallaby David Campese for remarks he made on Twitter regarding Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed.

According to reports in the Australian press, Ahmed told Cricket Australia he was not happy wearing their sponsor Victoria Bitter's logo on his shirt due to religious beliefs. Ahmed is currently playing for Australia against England in the Twenty20 series and did not sport the emblem in their game on Saturday.

Ahmed's reservations prompted former cricketer Doug Walters to declare that "if he doesn't want to wear the team gear, he should not be part of the team". And Campese Tweeted his support for Walters, saying: ''Doug Walters tells Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed: if you don't like the VB uniform, don't play for Australia Well said doug. Tell him to go home.''

The comments have provoked a stern response from Cricket Australia with James Sutherland, the man in charge of the organisation, dismissing Campese "opportunism on some people's parts to reflect bigoted views".

"He is a cricketer who has religious beliefs and he is an Australian," Sutherland said. "Irrespective of cultural background or religious beliefs, if you are Australian you are eligible to play cricket for Australia and if you're good at cricket we want you in our team.''

Campese said his Tweets were not a criticism of Ahmed but about religious beliefs influencing sport. He added on Twitter: ''well why did he come to Aussie for in the first place. A better life? Now he is telling people what he wants.!

''it is not about religion it is about sport. I don't care about what he believes . It is about sport. That's all ''I played under the XXXX logo. Played. I didn't drink beer! He came to Australia for a better life .?

''They is a lot more kids who would love to play for Australia. And they would t complain .''

''we were supported by XXXX and I was not a beer drinker. So Doug is right go back to where you come from''.

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