Essex fined £100,000 for being guilty of systemic racism

Essex fined £100,000 for being guilty of systemic racism. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Essex County Cricket Club has been charged guilty of systematic racism and penalised £100,000, half of which is suspended for two years. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has found the Club guilty of age-old racism and discrimination. 

Katherine Newton KC compiled an independent report in December 2023 where three former players acted as testimony. One of the former players was nicknamed a ‘bomber,’ owing to his South Asian heritage, while was subjected to the use of ‘Banana’ slang for being of Black race.

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“Racism has no place in our sport. I’m appalled by what those who experienced racism at Essex have been through, and the way this behaviour could become normalised. It is vital that as a sport we listen and learn from their experiences, and ensure that no one suffers like that again.I welcome the action Essex has taken in recent years to address these issues and become a more inclusive club, and the commitment it has shown to make further progress,” said ECB Chief Executive Officer, Richard Gould.

Essex County Cricket Club welcomes independent report: Anu Mohindru

The latest action stems fom the time Club was held responsible from 2001 to 2010 for breaching ECB Directive 3.3.

ECB Directive 3.3 states: “conduct, acts or omissions which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute”.

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“Essex County Cricket Club welcomes the publishing of the independent report and it is an important step in trying to rectify the past mistakes, but most importantly creating a brighter future for everyone associated with our club,” Anu Mohindru KC, the Essex County Cricket Club Chair, said.

Racism experienced at Essex for many years was abhorren: Dave Lewis

Previously, John Faragher was alleged to have used the phrase “n****r in the woodpile” in 2017 while at the board meeting. Subsequently, Essex was charged £50,000 after charges were levelled against the Club. This particular incident gave birth to the commissioning of the Newton report. With respect to the latest charges, Essex has time until October 2 to challenge. 

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“The racism experienced at Essex County Cricket Club over a period of many years was abhorrent, and the evidence of those subjected to abuse was deeply disturbing. They have shown real bravery in speaking out, and I hope that this prosecution will help ensure that no one suffers again as they did, and that racism of this kind is never normalised,” said Dave Lewis, Interim Director of the Cricket Regulator.