ECB issue apology following evidence of discrimination in English cricket by ICEC report

Richard Thompson. (Photo Source: England and Wales Cricket Board/Twitter)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) came forward on Monday, June 26, and issued an apology to those who faced racial discrimination in cricket. The apology from the board came after the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published a report that showed evidence of discrimination.

The report stated that the ECB was unable to get rid of “structural and institutional racism, sexism, and class-based discrimination.” Seeing the report, the ECB accepted it and agreed that a change should be made so that such incidents don’t get repeated in the future.

ECB Chair Richard Thompson came forward to apologize to anyone who felt like they did not belong to cricket. Furthermore, the ECB also stated that they will try to form a strong plan in the coming months to eradicate the problem and that they will be going by the numerous suggestions made by the ICEC.

“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,” Richard Thompson was quoted as saying by IndiaToday.

“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,” he added.

Any kind of discrimination is unacceptable in a sport: Caroline Dinenage

Furthermore, it was also decided by the ECB chair that Deputy CEO Clare Connor will be leading the consultation committee alongside Pete Ackerley, Zahida Manzoor, Ron Kalifa, Richard Gould, and Ebony Rainford-Brent.

After the report, the Culture, Media, and Sport (CMS) Committee was of the opinion that there exists a higher level of corruption in cricket, and the committee’s chair, Caroline Dineage, had a lot to say on the matter.

“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,” Caroline Dinenage said.