Mark Vermeulen to be investigated for accusations of racial slur © Getty Images
Mark Vermeulen to be investigated for accusations of racial slur © Getty Images

Harare: Zimbabwean cricketer Mark Vermeulen who has a history of disciplinary problems has once again come into lime light after being investigated for making a racial comment on social media referring to black people as ‘apes’. Zimbabwe Cricket was looking into the complaint made by Prosper Utseya that racism exists in Zimbabwean Cricket.  Mark Vermeulen posted a comment on Facebook in regards to the complaint made by Utseya. Vermeulen in July stated that black people wouldn’t have any problems “if we had left them in the bush,” and Utseya might be happier if he was living “in his mud hut.” He referred to black people as “the apes.” LIVE SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan , 2nd ODI match, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe, 2015

Vermeulen has played nine Test and 43 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe with constantly being fighting for place in the team. Vermeulen could be facing a life ban if proven guilty by the authorities.Vermeulen earlier escaped conviction for arson in 2008,when he was deemed of mental illness after he set ablaze two Zimbabwe cricket buildings in a case from 2006 while protesting for being left out of the team. The jury found out that Vermeulen was suffering from serious psychiatric problems after being struck on the head with a ball while batting in 2004. Vermeulen as banned from playing in the English league cricket for 10 years as well after he hurled the ball at a group of fans who were teasing him in 2011. ALSO READ: Sloppy Afghanistan suffer 8-wicket loss against Zimbabwe in 1st ODI at Bulawayo

Vermeulen just made a comeback in the Test team just last year after a gap of 10 years but was dropped again as he could not perform. On Friday as Zimbabwean daily had published a report saying that Vermeulen has apologised for his comments and Utseya has forgiven him for the same.
Vermeulen also wrote: “I know my comments were over the top and I apologise to all that I have offended. But as a cricketer, it’s how our minds work.”