THE Board of Cricket Scotland resigned on Sunday (24), one day prior to the publication of an independent study report on racism in the sport.
Majid Haq, Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-taker, said that Cricket Scotland was “institutionally racist” on Sky Sports News, and his former teammate Qasim Sheikh claimed that he had also experienced racist abuse, prompting the review.
The report was published today, and it includes 448 indicators of institutional racism.
Cricket Scotland failed 29 of the 31 “tests” used to gauge the issue and only partially reached the benchmark on the other two.
The two players’ attorney, Aamer Anwar, told that the findings may be “devastating” for Cricket Scotland.
A press conference was held today (25) following the publication of the review.
Solicitor Aamer Anwar said: “It has affected both of their health, ended their careers and at times almost led to them taking their own lives.
“Majid Haq was punished, bullied, faced a backlash, was legally gagged until March 2022”.
The investigation was commissioned by sportscotland (the national agency for sport), and numerous referrals and complaints were forwarded to Police Scotland during the review.
Plan4Sport, experts in diversity and equality, carried out the review.
Cricket Scotland said on Saturday that it was “truly sorry” to anyone who experienced abuse while participating in the sport.
Allegations include discrimination against non-white athletes, the use of offensive language, favouritism to young, white children attending public schools, and racial abuse. Multiple issues have occasionally been brought up in relation to the same person.
The evaluation notes a lack of anti-racist training at Cricket Scotland, a lack of a standardised procedure for managing racist events, and a lack of diversity throughout the cricketing system.
More than 200 people had come forward to provide testimony, according to an interim report that was published in April.
Majid Haq said Cricket Scotland told him there was “no budget” when he requested support for his mental health struggles amid racist abuse.
Qasim Sheikh expressed: “I felt humiliated, and I felt I was treated as a personal servant at times”.
According to the outgoing board’s resignation letter, the study will “provide a watershed moment for Scottish sport and society in general” and be “truly transformative, not just for Cricket Scotland but the sport of cricket.”
The Board repeated its apology stating: “We believe we must now step aside to enable the required progress to be made in the coming months.”
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