Racism ‘entrenched’ in English cricket, report finds

LONDON – England cricket chiefs have promised to “reset” the game after an independent report on Tuesday said not enough had been done to tackle institutional racism and sexism in the game.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) set up the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) in 2021 to look at issues of diversity, inclusion and equity following a racism scandal.

Pakistan-born bowler Azeem Rafiq went public with allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020, related to his two spells at English county side Yorkshire.

Of the more than 4,000 individuals interviewed for the ICEC report, 50 per cent described experiencing discrimination in the previous five years, with the figures substantially higher for people from ethnically diverse communities.

Women were also often treated as “second-class citizens”, the report found, while stating that not enough had been done to address class barriers as well, with private schools dominating the pathway into cricket.

“Our findings are unequivocal,” said ICEC chairman Cindy Butts. “Racism, class-based discrimination, elitism and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted.

“There remains a stark reality that cricket is not a ‘game for everyone’ and it is absolutely essential that the work required to achieve that ambition must begin immediately.

“The game must face up to the fact that it’s not banter or just a few bad apples. Discrimination is both overt and baked into the structures and processes within cricket.”

A total of 44 recommendations have been made, including a call for equal pay for male and female international players by 2030.

According to the report, which did praise the ECB for being “brave” enough to open itself to independent scrutiny, the average salary for England women players is just over a fifth of that for England men for playing white-ball cricket.

ECB chairman Richard Thompson said the organisation would “use this moment to reset cricket”, working alongside representatives from the sport and build a plan of action in the next three months, which will align with the ICEC’s recommendations.

“On behalf of the ECB and wider leadership of the game, I apologise unreservedly to anyone who has ever been excluded from cricket or made to feel like they don’t belong,” he said.

“Cricket should be a game for everyone, and we know that this has not always been the case.

“Powerful conclusions within the report also highlight that for too long women and black people were neglected. We are truly sorry for this.”

“I am determined that this wake-up call for cricket in England and Wales should not be wasted. We have a duty to put this right for current and future generations.”

Thompson added that the consultation process would be led by deputy chief executive officer Clare Connor, with the support of a sub-group of the board including himself.

The British Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee also commented on the report, reasserting that there is a deep-seated problem of racism in cricket while recognising the need for the ECB to realign and seeking to ensure it delivers on its commitments.

“The volume of evidence, not only of racial discrimination, but also of sexism and elitism, is unacceptable in a sport that should be for all, and must now be a catalyst for change,” CMS committee chairman Caroline Dinenage said in a statement.

Six former Yorkshire players found guilty of using racist language in the Rafiq case were in May fined by the Cricket Discipline Commission.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, meanwhile, was cleared of using racist language “on the balance of probabilities” after opting to defend himself at a hearing in March. AFP, REUTERS