Cricket Scotland independent review into racism published

Others said the sport did not feel welcoming for people 'who are not white, predominantly male, middle class and connected to a public school education.'

The report, by consultancy firm Plan4Sport, was commissioned after Scotland’s all-time wicket-taker Majid Haq and team-mate Qasim Sheikh reported allegations of racism in November last year.

Aamer Anwar, the Scots lawyer who is representing the two players, described the review as the, "most devastating verdict of racism to be delivered on any sporting institution in the United Kingdom".

It was published the day after the entire board of Cricket Scotland resigned.

The racism and discrimination that has taken place in the sport that we all love should never have been allowed to happen

Scotland's sports minister Maree Todd called for "Swift and decisive action" from the sporting body.

Hundreds of people from across all levels of Scottish cricket were interviewed including grassroots players, staff, national squad players, board members, coaches and match officials. 

More than two thirds - 62% - of respondents had experienced, seen, or had reported incidents of racism, inequalities, or discrimination and the highest number of incidents were race related (46.4%).

Abuse was predominantly targeted at South-East Asian people. 

However, a small number of examples were also shared which pointed to inter-community racism between Indian and Pakistani people and Scots and English.

Some older volunteers saw racism as banter and believed that 'they didn’t mean what was said.'

Systems to report racism on and off the pitch were described as inadequate.

There were numerous examples where allegations of racism had not been investigated effectively and in some cases, despite being reported, had not been investigated at all.

Alcohol was a consistent part of post-match and social evenings "with a lack of consideration for different religious practices and beliefs".

One participant spoke of excessive membership fees for South East Asian players over their white counterparts in a particular club, because they did not purchase alcohol or food in the bar after matches.

READ MORE: Entire Cricket Scotland board resigns ahead of damning racism report 

During the review referrals and allegations were passed to a number of organisations including Police Scotland.

There were 68 individual concerns raised that resulted in a referral, including 31 allegations of racism against 15 different people, two clubs and one regional association. One individual has appeared in court as a result.

Reports included inappropriate use of language, favouritism of young white children from public schools and a lack of  transparent selection process for non-white players.

One participant said there is a high proportion of South-East Asian players in the West of Scotland but as they move up the levels they seem to completely 'disappear."

READ MORE: Cricket Scotland 'truly sorry' ahead of independent review on racism in the sport 

The report made three key recommendations, including for Cricket Scotland to be taken under special measures by SportScotland until at least October 2023.

The Western District Cricket Union, which reported several complaints, should also be placed in special measures by Cricket Scotland and immediately suspended from managing all disciplinary measures relating to its competitions.

An urgent review should be held into its governance, the report said.

A minimum of 25% of new board members should be Black, South-East Asian, or other mixed or multiple ethnic groups. 

Plan4Sport managing director Louise Tideswell said it was clear that the "governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland have been institutionally racist"

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, described the findings are “deeply concerning and in some cases shocking”.

He said:  “Today should also act as a wake-up call for all of Scottish sport.

"Racism is a societal problem and it is no longer good enough to simply be non-racist – Scottish sport must now be actively anti-racist.”

Mr Anwar said ‘Institutionally racist’ Cricket Scotland was 'not fit for purpose'.

He said:"These are no longer allegations of racism, but a total vindication of Majid Haq, Qasim Sheikh and all those who bravely came forward to give evidence.

"They were shamed, humiliated, endured racist abuse and discrimination throughout their professional cricketing life, labelled troublemakers, it affected their health, it ended their careers and at times almost led to them taking their own lives.

"The days of the establishment sitting around in in their blazers and old school ties pontificating about the good old days of cricket are over, if you are unwilling to change then step aside."

Cricket Scotland Interim Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Arthur, said the report was a "watershed" moment for the sport in Scotland.

He said:“The racism and discrimination that has taken place in the sport that we all love should never have been allowed to happen, or to go unchallenged for so long.

“I would like to again issue a heartfelt apology to all those who have been the victims of racism and discrimination in Scottish cricket. 

READ MORE: Lawyer says Cricket Scotland resignations 'not enough' 

"It’s clear that significant cultural change must happen and it must happen quickly. 

"We must address the past, repair the sport and ensure history does not repeat itself and we will need everyone’s commitment to make this change happen."

The majority of respondents (87.6%) were men, aged 45 to 54 and more than 73% were froma white background.

Majid Haq revealed last year that he had suffered abuse in his career.

He represented Scotland on more than 200 occasions but did not play again after being sent home from the 2015 World Cup. At the time he hinted he felt victimised on grounds of race.

"As an ethnic minority cricketer, you need to perform twice as well as a white counterpart to get the same opportunities," he said in November.

In January, English cricket was warned to 'clean up its act' on racism or lose public funding following a damning parliamentary report.

It came after Azeem Rafiq gave an emotional testimony to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee about the racist abuse he faced during two stints at Yorkshire beginning in 2008 and ending in 2018.