Protestors in Portsmouth had to be talked down after they mistook Pakistan’s under-19s cricket team for a group of asylum seekers.
A gang of around 40 anti-migrant protestors gathered outside a four-star Marriott hotel after hearing rumours asylum seekers had been taken there.
But when the agitators arrived, it turned out it was in fact Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team checking into the hotel during their tour of England.
Local Reform councillor George Madwick then had to be called to the hotel to mediate between staff and the assembled gang.
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The Guardian reports that Madgwick had been at home on Tuesday evening when he received a call about some 40 balaclava-wearing individuals gathering at the Marriott hotel.
This was after rumours circulated that a group of men who did not seem to be English had arrived at the hotel and that the coach which took them was from the same company that had moved asylum seekers who came by boat over the weekend.
When Madgwick got to the hotel, the hotel manager “explained the situation” to him. It turned out that the hotel had been hosting members of an under-21 cricket team from Pakistan, who were using the Marriott as their base during their tour of the south coast.
Madgwick then told the protestors “‘You’ve got it wrong guys, it’s a cricket club.”
He said they “left within a couple of minutes” and labelled it a “massively unfortunate incident.”
Whilst he acknowledged it was not a great look for Portsmouth, Madgwick said it was “reflective of the climate we live in, and where people are deeply concerned about the issues.”
In a post on Facebook, Madgwick urged people to stay away from the hotel, writing: “There were reports that possible migrants were staying in the Marriott hotel. I can confirm that is NOT the case. Please don’t attend the hotel.
“A number of concerned local residents spotted what they believed to be migrants going into the Marriott hotel. A number of you messaged me and asked me to come down. I spoke to the hotel and they agreed to meet me.”
The story has quickly gone viral on social media, with many mocking the protestors for their, let’s be honest, utter stupidity.
Following the incident, the England and Wales Cricket Board has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the wellbeing of those involved. The ECB is also reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of the squad’s tour.