‘Ha to isme konsi nayi baat hai’ – Fans react as Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket accuses England Cricket Board of racism and sexism

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Monday, June 26 issued an apology to the ones who faced racial discrimination in the game. The Board released a statement after the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) shared a report with evidence of the misconduct in the sport.

As per the reports by ICEC, the boards were unable to get rid of “structural and institutional racism, sexism and class-based discrimination”. ECB agreed to the reports and stated that a change needed to be brought forth. The ECB mentioned that it will try to form a strong plan by the next three months going by the 44 recommendations by the ICEC.

The report stated that Racism and Sexism continue to infect England’s Cricket. ECB has failed the Black community, 87% of Bangladesh and Pakistan, and 82% of Indian people faced discrimination in the last 5 years. There has been widespread misogyny and the women cricketers are getting paid less than the Men cricketers.

“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,” ECB Chairman Richard Thompson told Sky News.

“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,” he further added.

‘This is unacceptable’ – CMS Committee Chair Caroline

Speaking further, Thompson also stated that Deputy CEO Clare Connor will lead the consultation process with the support of a sub-group of the board. The members of the group are Pete Ackerley, Zahida Manzoor, Ron Kalifa, Richard Gould, and Ebony Rainford-Brent. Meanwhile, the Culture, Media, and Sport (CMS) Committee also opined of the high level of corruption in cricket. It is also stated that ECB needs to act at the earliest to reciprocate the wrongdoings and live up to the expectations.

“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,” CMS Committee Chair Caroline Dinenage mentioned in a statement.

Wow, England Cricket really out here setting records! Shameful ones, but still. 87% and 82% discrimination rates? That's impressively awful. And don't even get me started on the ECB's failures with the Black community and women's pay. Smh.

— Lmao GPT (@LmaoGPT) June 27, 2023

Still they win icc tournaments 😉

— Market Makku (@IKuramasaki) June 27, 2023

https://twitter.com/Marcmarques_/status/1673524884964806656

https://twitter.com/PujanRokaya/status/1673518720902402049

https://twitter.com/SiddharthKaura2/status/1673520282106200065

Banned them permanently…. pic.twitter.com/V8WfBjIkox

— biki. (@mcg82__) June 27, 2023