Cricket is in a state of shock as we speak after a devastating report accused the English recreation of racism, misogyny and elitism.
The Independent Commission for Equality in Cricket discovered divisions exist at each degree — from village greens to the worldwide area, The Sun stories.
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The damning 317-page report lists a whopping 44 suggestions — and introduced a grovelling apology from ECB chair Richard Thompson.
“Cricket should be a game for everyone and this has not always been the case,” Thompson mentioned.
“I apologise unreservedly to anyone who has ever been excluded from cricket or made to feel they don’t belong.
“Powerful conclusions within the report also highlight that, for too long, women and black people were neglected. We are truly sorry for this.
“This report makes clear historic structures and systems have failed to prevent discrimination and highlights the pain and exclusion this has caused.”
Of the greater than 4,000 people interviewed for the ICEC report, 50 per cent described experiencing discrimination within the earlier 5 years, with the figures considerably greater for individuals from ethnically various communities.
Women have been usually handled as “second-class citizens”, the report discovered, additionally stating that not sufficient had been finished to handle class boundaries, with non-public colleges dominating the pathway into cricket.
“Our findings are unequivocal,” mentioned ICEC chair Cindy Butts. “Racism, class-based discrimination, elitism and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted.
“The game must face up to the fact that it’s not banter or just a few bad apples. Discrimination is both overt and baked into the structures and processes within cricket.” A complete of 44 suggestions have been made, together with a name for equal pay for female and male worldwide gamers by 2030.
– Racism is entrenched in English cricket.
– Women are marginalised and routinely expertise sexism and misogyny.
– Class boundaries will not be addressed.
– The complaints system isn’t match for goal.
– Equality, range and inclusion have to be improved.
Thompson mentioned the organisation would “use this moment to reset cricket”.
“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,” he mentioned.
“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.” Six former Yorkshire gamers discovered responsible of utilizing racist language within the Rafiq case have been final month fined by the Cricket Discipline Commission.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of utilizing racist language “on the balance of probabilities” after opting to defend himself at a listening to in March
This article initially appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
Originally printed as Report into English cricket exposes rampant racism, misogyny and elitism
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
