The Cricket Scotland’s entire board handed in their resignations with immediate effect following an investigation into institutional racism claims in the sport in the country.
Cricket Scotland finds itself in challenging times with allegations of institutional racism surfacing in the sport in the country. An independent review was brought in place after off-spinner Majid Haq, Scotland’s leading wicket-taker, alleged during a chat with Sky Sports that Cricket Scotland was “institutionally racist”.
Majid, 39, has not represented Scotland ever since being sent back home from the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. He claimed that he had been victimised on the grounds of race.
The independent investigation review report is due to be released on Monday, July 25. The report findings are expected to uphold Majid’s claims and those of his former teammate Qasim Sheikh, with them alleging that both were at the receiving end of racism throughout their careers.
In their resignation letter tendered to the Interim Chief Executive Officer Gordon Arthur on Sunday, the board apologised for what the players had been going through, while expecting that the “required progress” is made in near future.
“When the review into racism in Scottish cricket was announced last year we were fully supportive of the review. The review has achieved an unparalleled level of engagement and we believe it will be truly transformative, not just for Cricket Scotland and the sport of cricket, but it will provide a watershed moment for Scottish sport and society in general.
“We are all truly sorry and have apologised publicly to everyone who has experienced racism, or any other form of discrimination, in cricket in Scotland. This is, without doubt, the start of another long journey to overhaul and modernise the governance of the sport to ensure its continued success in the years ahead.”
The board admitted that the changes were not achievable within the existing governance framework.
Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing Majid and Sheikh, expressed disappointment over the “devastating” findings, and expects a significant change from top to toe for the individuals’ well-being.
“Many who have followed in [Haq’s and Sheikh’s] footsteps have complained about a culture of systemic bullying, of racism, of humiliation and there has never been any accountability and transparency,” Anwar told the BBC in an interview.
“What about the selectors, what about some of the umpires, what about the boards on local leagues because it would appear that if you are a person of colour then you face systemic racism.”
he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo
The board’s spokesperson remarked:
“This has been an exceptionally challenging time for everyone involved in Scottish cricket. We have been made aware of the board’s decision and as the national agency for sport, we will take immediate steps to provide significant additional governance and leadership support to Cricket Scotland.”
The game has faced challenging times to overcome the issue, with various racism claims surfacing in recent years, none as significant as those of former Yorkshire cricketer and England U19 World Cup captain Azeem Rafiq, who opened up of his experiences at the County, and added that English cricket was “institutionally racist” in a parliamentary hearing last year.
