by Our Sports Desk

Professional Cricketers’ Association chief executive Angus Porter said yesterday that he does not want the row over Moeen Ali’s Edgbaston abuse to boil over.

England spinner Moeen was booed by Indian fans during the hosts’ T20 win in Birmingham on Sunday.

His father Munir believed it was because of Moeen’s Pakistani background, and police treated it as a “non-crime hate related incident” after an official complaint from a spectator.

“His dad offered his view sincerely and I hope it doesn’t stoke the fire because he was just standing up for his boy,” Porter told Press Association Sport.

“There is an element of taking it as a compliment. You are more likely to boo someone when you think they are someone to be feared.

“Take it as as a positive, you’d rather be booed than ignored.”

Porter added there was no place for any racial abuse but would be surprised if it had come from the Indian fans.

“It shouldn’t happen but I have always found the Indians to be respectful and it is a little bit surprising in that respect,” he said.

India’s tour has been littered with ill-feeling, with Ravindra Jadeja booed after his clash with James Anderson in the Test series earlier in the summer.

Porter wants supporters to refrain from all types of abuse and appreciate the game instead.

“Supporters pay their money and they are entitled to express an opinion, but I don’t think it’s exclusively about Moeen,” he said.

“You see other players get booed. Jimmy Anderson gets booed when he goes to Yorkshire and it’s disappointing when players are performing as entertainers and doing their best. It would be great if spectators saw the positives.”

The police would need more evidence to pursue the issue and Moeen, who took one for 31 in the game which England won by three runs, does not want to make a complaint.