Mark Boucher charged with gross misconduct amid racism row

Cricket South Africa (CSA) publicly laid gross misconduct charges on the men's national team head coach Mark Boucher after he was accused of racism last year by his former teammate Paul Adams.

As Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) looked into the allegations made by Adams, a 235-page interim report was submitted in December that included big names of Proteas cricket such as Boucher and AB de Villiers.

"While Mr Boucher is being charged with gross misconduct, which could lead to his dismissal, CSA emphasises it is important that the independent inquiry first needs to test all allegations before any question of sanction can arise," CSA released a statement.

Following the findings, Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau has been appointed as the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing and he will lead the charges of misconduct laid on the Proteas’ head coach.

"The Board remains mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa's Constitution and labour legislation," CSA Board Chairperson Lawson Naidoo said as quoted by the Times of India.

"It is now up to the inquiry to determine to which extent the allegations are true and justify the need for further disciplinary steps. CSA emphasises that any implicated party will be given a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved," Naidoo added.

While Boucher emphasised focusing on the role of head coach, he asserted that the allegations directed at him will be dealt with in due course of time.

"I look forward to dealing with and defending these allegations which have been made and will do so at the hearing in due course. For now I am solely focused on my duties as head coach of the Proteas," Boucher said.

For the unversed, Boucher was accused of using derogatory language by Adams for which the former cricketer has already apologised.

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