Organisers of The Hundred condemn online racist abuse aimed at 'players and others' since its launch saying anyone who posts discriminatory messages 'is not welcome here'

• People involved in the Hundred event have been targeted with racist abuse 
• The Hundred organisers have condemned the online racist messages 
• Sportspeople have been targeted with racial abuse in recent months 

Organisers of the Hundred have revealed that racist messages have been aimed at 'players and others' on social media since its launch.

The Hundred got underway earlier this week and includes eight franchises - each with a men's and women's team - competing in matches featuring 100 balls bowled by each team.

A message has been posted to social media on Sunday morning from organisers, saying anyone who posts racial messages 'are not welcome here'. 

The statement read: 'We want The Hundred to be for everyone. The beauty of sport, in all its forms, is its ability to unite and inspire. Cricket is no different. But we do not accept racism or other forms of abuse.

'Sadly, we have witnessed these unacceptable behaviours online, towards our players and others, in recent days.

'We stand together with the rest of cricket against all forms of discrimination. You can disagree with us on many things, but not on that. Those who do are not welcome here.'

Sportspeople have been regular targets of online abuse in recent months, including England trio Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after they missed penalties in England's Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.

Lewis Hamilton faced racial abuse last week after he was involved in an on-track collision with title rival Max Verstappen. 

The Hundred will run for the next month with winners being crowned in both the men's and women's tournament on August 21.