MANCHESTER, July 9: The Old Trafford stadium has been made a �No Fly Zone� for India�s semifinal clash against New Zealand here on Tuesday, an action prompted by a private plane displaying anti-India banners during the team�s league encounter against Sri Lanka in Headingley.
The decision has been taken after consultation with the local authorities here, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has informed the BCCI.
�We had clearly stated about the breach of security and also raised concerns about the security of our players. Accordingly, ECB has sent a confirmation to CEO Rahul Johri that Old Trafford air space has been turned into a �No Fly Zone� for the day,� a BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI on condition of anonymity.
On Saturday, an unnamed private aircraft flew from Bradford zone with banners like �India stop Mob Lynching� and �Justice for Kashmir� over the Headingley air space on a number of occasions during the India-Sri Lanka match.
This left ICC embarrassed as it was the second such breach of security after another aircraft flew with the banner �Justice For Balochistan� during the game between Afghanistan and Pakistan. A number of fans were evicted after a brawl inside the stadium premises, which is believed to have been triggered by the banner�s display. � PTI
