NEWS
Follow UsEngland women’s team captain Heather Knight was fined £1,000 by the Cricket Discipline Commission of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on September 23, 2024 (Monday) for racist posts made on her behalf, way back in 2012.
After the reprimand, the English skipper apologised for the said post. "I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012," she said in a statement issued by the ECB.
In the Facebook post which was made by another person, Knight is seen having her face painted black, which indicates racist mocking of people of colour. She was participating in an ‘end-of-season fancy dress party at a cricket club in Kent’ according to a BBC report.
"It was wrong, and I have long regretted it. Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant,” the 33-year-old lamented on her actions from the past.
"Whilst I can't change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring under-represented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have,” she added in her statement.
Knight, who led the England women to their 2017 ODI World Cup win at home, would vie for yet another title when she will captain the women’s team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, beginning October 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Cricket Regular, which oversees matters of anti-discrimination, anti-corruption, anti-doping, misconduct and safeguarding, received the said photograph in July this year. Knight was playing in The Hundred (Women) 2024 competition which her team London Spirit went on to win.
Earlier last week, the Regulator also fined County club Essex £100,000 after they admitted to their inability to stop racial discrimination at the institution between 2001 and 2010.
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