The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) was established by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021 to analyze problems with variety, inclusion and fairness inside the sport, prompted by a racism scandal. Azeem Rafiq, a bowler of Pakistani origin, publicly shared allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020, particularly regarding his time at Yorkshire, an English county crew.
The ICEC report revealed that over 4,000 people have been interviewed, with 50 p.c reporting cases of discrimination inside the previous 5 years. The figures have been notably larger for people from ethnically numerous communities, indicating the existence of systemic biases.
Furthermore, the report discovered that ladies usually confronted discriminatory therapy, being thought to be “second-class citizens” inside cricket. It additionally emphasised that inadequate motion had been taken to deal with socioeconomic boundaries, as non-public faculties dominated the pathway into the game.
In response to the report’s findings, England cricket authorities have dedicated to a complete reset of the sport, acknowledging the necessity for rapid and substantial modifications to deal with these long-standing points.
“Our findings are unequivocal,” stated ICEC chair Cindy Butts. “Racism, class-based discrimination, elitism and sexism are widespread and deep-rooted.
“The sport should withstand the truth that it isn’t banter or just some dangerous apples. Discrimination is each overt and baked into the buildings and processes inside cricket.”
(AI image)
The comprehensive report includes a total of 44 recommendations, urging for equal pay between male and female international players to be achieved by 2030.
The report highlights the significant disparity in salaries, revealing that the average pay for England women players is slightly over one-fifth of that received by their male counterparts for participating in white-ball cricket.
Reacting to these findings, Richard Thompson, chairman of the ECB, expressed the organization’s commitment to utilize this pivotal moment as an opportunity to reset the sport of cricket. The ECB aims to address the issues raised in the report and implement necessary measures for meaningful change.
“On behalf of the ECB and wider management of the sport, I apologise unreservedly to anybody who has ever been excluded from cricket or made to really feel like they do not belong,” he said.
“Cricket must be a sport for everybody, and we all know that this has not at all times 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 Cricket Discipline Commission not too long ago imposed fines on six former Yorkshire gamers who have been discovered responsible of utilizing racist language within the Azeem Rafiq case. The gamers confronted penalties for his or her actions associated to this deeply regarding challenge.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of utilizing racist language primarily based on the stability of chances. Vaughan selected to defend himself throughout a listening to held in March, and the investigation concluded that there was inadequate proof to assist the allegations of racist language towards him.
(With company inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com