Cricket Scotland announces independent teams to investigate complaints

Cricket Scotland sets up process to investigate complaints (PC: Twitter)

Cricket Scotland on Tuesday (13 September) provided a major update on considering the complaints from different individuals, referred by the racism report. 

In July, Plan4Sport, the independent team consisting of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion experts found Cricket Scotland to be institutionally racist. 

Sportscotland commissioned the review on the complaints of former cricketers, Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh.

Over 1,000 individuals were involved in the detailed investigation, including former cricketers, national players, match officials, board members and coaches.

Some of the key problems highlighted by the individuals were Lack of Diversity, Racial abuse Favouritism for white players and No willingness to deal with discrimination.

The independent reviewers recommended the new board should have 40% men and 40% women, with 25% coming from black or Southeast Asian groups. In addition, Cricket Scotland was put under special measures until October 2023. 

Furthermore, Cricket Scotland was told to address the referrals in the findings before September 30. 

In this regard, Cricket Scotland’s interim chief executive Gordon Arthur has expressed his delight to make a first step toward understanding the concerns of the individuals. 

"Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in the process of understanding the full circumstances of these referrals, speaking to any individuals who have been mentioned in referrals and any witnesses to events that have been reported," said Arthur. 

"Only when we have investigated fully, will we be able to decide what action might be taken in individual circumstances, to bring closure on these issues."

Law firm Harper MacLeod LLP and charity firm Sporting Equals are given the responsibility to have a thoughtful review of the complaints and carrying out the investigation, if required. 

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