Cricket Scotland apologises ahead of report on racism in the sport

Cricket Scotland has apologised ahead of the publication of a review that’s expected to detail widespread racism throughout the sport.

An independent investigation was launched after allegations from former Scotland players and other figures within the sport that racism was deep-rooted and common within Scottish cricket.

Scotland’s record wicket-taker Majid Haq had called for an inquiry, while his former team-mate Qasim Sheikh spoke about abuse he had suffered during his career.

The findings of the review are to be published on Monday but laywer Aamer Anwar, who represents Haw and Sheik, has said that he expects the report to be damning and show that racism has been a serious problem in the sport for a number of years and is still rife today.

“Cricket Scotland is dysfunctional and institutionally racist – if that is confirmed by this review, it will be devastating for Cricket Scotland,” he told Sky News.

“There are those within the organisation who should be ashamed of their treatment of Majid and Qasim and so many other cricketers who gave their lives to cricket but saw their careers taken away from them.

“In any other walk of life, the individuals responsible would find themselves out of a job, in a jail cell, or banished from public life.

“Yet, when it comes to cricket, they are rewarded with promotions and status.

“Racism exists in Cricket Scotland and my clients know that has been the case for many years, through generations of cricketers.”

Cricket Scotland will address the media on Monday after the publication of the report, but have issued an apology and thanked all those who came forward to share their own experience as part of the review.

A spokesperson said: “Cricket should be a welcoming place for everyone and not somewhere that racism or any form of discrimination takes place.

“The Cricket Scotland Board is truly sorry to everyone who has experienced racism in cricket in Scotland.

“We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been involved in contributing to the review, however the board is not in a position to comment on the independent review’s report as we will not see it until it is published publicly on Monday.”