ECB unveils anti-racism plan following Azeem Rafiq allegations

By
Babita Sarkar
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London: England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison admitted on Friday that it felt like an “earthquake” had hit the sport following former Yorkshire bowler Azeem Rafiq’s testimony to UK members of parliament  about being the victim of ‘institutional racism.’

ECB on Friday released a 12-point action plan to tackle racism and discrimination in the sport, including a review of the “dressing room culture” across teams.

Harrison was speaking to the media as the ECB published a 12-point, game-wide action plan on Friday to tackle all forms of discrimination in the game, following several subsequent confessions of racial abuse from other players. The governing body has pledged £25m (33.3m USD) over five years towards the plan.

The 12 measures unveiled by the England and Wales Cricket Board include a review of dressing-room culture, action to help non-white and less privileged players pursue careers in the game and a commitment to increased diversity on county boards.

By creating a welcoming environment for all and publishing localised diversity action plans within six months, which includes the aim of making the boardroom of every member 30 per cent female or locally ethnically representative by April 2022.

“The last few weeks have been very, very tough for cricket. It feels like an earthquake has hit us,” ECB chief executive Tom Harrison told a news conference.

“The most damning part of Rafiq’s testimony is that he didn’t want his son to be part of the game. That is, for someone in my job, the most difficult thing you can hear.” he added.

Another point in the action plan is a governance review of the ECB, which will consider whether the organisation can be both a promoter and regulator of the sport. Harrison said cricket should at least be open to the prospect of a similar set-up.

“We had a meeting thursday with the county chairs… whether we should be the regulator and the national governing body going forward. That conversation is one we’re going to have with the game as well.”

Harrison, asked why anybody should believe the ECB was going to take concrete action now, given previous accusations of inaction, said change would happen.

“I know we are in the dock for words, words, words, blah, blah, blah, no action, that kind of thing. What we are trying to say here is that this is action-orientated. But it’s not everything… I don’t think this is something cricket has ever got right.” Harrison added.

Harrison, personally criticised over the ECB’s response to Rafiq’s revelations, added he had no intention of resigning.

“I am very motivated to make sure we provide this welcoming environment across our sport, for everybody. That is something I’ve felt passionately about since the moment I walked into this job, and I’m not going to walk away from that now.” he concluded.

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