Crowd gathers after Pakistani cricket team mistaken for migrants
A group of Pakistani under-19 cricketers were mistaken for migrants by a crowd in Portsmouth, leading to a brief anti-migrant protest outside their hotel. Local officials and police confirmed the identity of the athletes and clarified that no offenses were committed.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the impact of misinformation and social tensions regarding migration in the UK, leading to the harassment of innocent individuals.
Image source, Google Image caption, False rumours circulated that the Pakistan under-19 cricketers were a group of migrants
An international cricket team became the mistaken focus of an anti-migrant protest after being spotted entering a hotel in Portsmouth.
Reform county councillor George Madgwick said about 30 to 40 people gathered outside the Marriott Hotel in Cosham on Tuesday evening, amid false rumours that a group of migrants had arrived by bus.
In a Facebook post, he urged people not to attend, saying hotel staff showed him "proof" the guests were the touring Pakistan under-19 national cricket team.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed officers responded to reports of a gathering outside the hotel shortly before 18:30 BST.
A police spokesperson said officers spoke to the people "who were expressing concerns about a coach that had been seen in the area".
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