Bangladesh national team head coach Phil Simmons strongly condemned the racial abuse directed at wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali on social media and in the stands. He also shared his opinion on players’ use of social media, clearly stating that he does not want them engaging with critics online.

“I’m glad you brought it up because, first of all, I don’t agree with players having anything to do with social media,” Simmons said during a press conference on Friday ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies.

“It is your right as a person to be on social media, to say what you want on social media. But as an international player, as a national player for Bangladesh, my players should not be on there,” he added.

Simmons himself brought up the racial issue during the discussion.

“But I would say one thing — it is not nice to bring racial tones into anything to do with players. I don’t care where you’re from, the racial part of it, I am disgusted with, against Jaker Ali. That’s not nice. But to tell you, I don’t want my players answering anything on social media,” he said.

The controversy first started back in February 2024 during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), when then Comilla Victorians head coach and now national team senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin commented on Jaker’s complexion while criticizing the cricket board for not selecting him despite consistent performances as a middle-order finisher.

“Maybe the boy’s complexion is a bit dark — that’s probably why, I feel, the board doesn’t really notice him properly,” Salahuddin had said.

After Friday’s press conference, reporters reminded Simmons of that earlier remark.

The head coach acknowledged being aware of it. “I know he said that. What I’m asking is, how does him saying that justify people in the stands abusing Jaker?” Simmons questioned.

Later in the conversation, reporters emphasized again that the issue originally began with Salahuddin, who now works under Simmons. The head coach admitted the point and replied, “You have a point.”