ECB share "unreserved apology" following racism 'entrenched' in English cricket report

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, which was established by the England Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021, conducted an investigation into diversity, inclusion, and equity issues within English cricket. The Commission published a comprehensive 317-page report titled "Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket," which revealed a pervasive pattern of deep-rooted discrimination within the sport.

Prior to releasing the report, the Commission engaged with over 4,000 individuals, including players, coaches, administrators, and fans, who shared their experiences of discrimination over the previous five years. The report highlighted significantly higher instances of discrimination among individuals from ethnically diverse communities.

Azeem Rafiq, a bowler of Pakistani origin, came forward in September 2020 with allegations of racism and bullying during his time at Yorkshire, which sparked a broader investigation. The revelations exposed systemic issues, prompting England cric.ket officials to acknowledge the need for a "reset" within the game. They admitted that insufficient action had been taken to address institutional racism and sexism in cricket.

The report also shed light on the mistreatment of women within the sport, noting that they were often treated as "second-class citizens." Additionally, it highlighted the lack of progress in addressing class barriers, with private schools dominating the cricket pathway.

Cindy Butts, chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, emphasized the unequivocal nature of the findings, stating that racism, class-based discrimination, elitism, and sexism were deeply ingrained and widespread within cricket. "Our findings are unequivocal. Racism, class-based discrimination, elitism and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted. 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," said ICEC chair Cindy Butts.

The report put forth a total of 44 recommendations, including a call for equal pay for male and female international players by 2030. According to the findings, the average salary for England women players is just over one-fifth of that for England men in white-ball cricket. Richard Thompson, chairman of the ECB, expressed the organization's commitment to resetting cricket in light of the report's conclusions.

Thompson apologized unreservedly on behalf of the ECB and the wider leadership of the game to anyone who had ever experienced exclusion or made to feel unwelcome in cricket. 

"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. 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."

In the case involving Azeem Rafiq, six former Yorkshire players were found guilty of using racist language and were subsequently fined by the Cricket Discipline Commission. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of using racist language after a hearing in March, as it was determined that the evidence did not sufficiently support the allegations against him.