ECB Issues Apology After ICEC Deems Board 'Racist, Sexist, Class-Based Discriminator'
ECB Chairman Richard Thompson | Source: Twitter
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday, June 26, issued an apology to the players who faced racial discrimination in the game. The England board issued a statement in light of the report issued by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which revealed compelling evidence of misconduct in cricket.
The report underlines the persistent presence of "structural and institutional racism, sexism, and class-based discrimination" within the England cricket board.
Furthermore, the ECB mentioned that it will try and form a strong plan over the next three months going by the 44 recommendations by the ICEC.
Here’s what ECB chair Richard Thompson said:
"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."
The ECB chair also announced that Deputy CEO Clare Connor will spearhead the consultation process, along with a sub-group of board members that includes Pete Ackerley, Zahida Manzoor, Ron Kalifa, Richard Gould, and Ebony Rainford-Brent.
Meanwhile, the Culture, Media, and Sport (CMS) Committee also acknowledged the existence of a high level of corruption in cricket while urging the ECB to take necessary action to eliminate these malpractices.
Here's what CMS Committee Chair Caroline Dinenage said in a statement:
"The volume of evidence, not only of racial discrimination, but also of sexism and elitism, is unacceptable in a sport that should be for all, and must now be a catalyst for change."
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