The South African cricket governing body has initiated an independent investigation regarding purported pro-Israel remarks attributed to David Teeger, the captain of the national under-19 cricket team.
“Yes, I’ve been [given] this award, and yes, I’m now the rising star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel,” Teeger, 18, reportedly said last month at an award ceremony for Jewish achievers. “And I’d like to dedicate it to the state of Israel and every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora.”
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that an impartial inquiry will ascertain whether Teeger’s statements contravened its code of conduct or that of his team, the Central Gauteng Lions.
Following a complaint filed by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, a South African activist group, with CSA and other sports bodies, they demanded Teeger’s suspension from both the national team and his Gauteng-based team, alleging his remarks were “provocative, biased, and inflammatory.”
Teeger has yet to comment on the reported statements or the investigation initiated by CSA.
