Essex County Cricket Club has been found guilty of systemic racism and fined £100,000, with half of the penalty suspended for two years. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) determined the club had engaged in long-standing racial discrimination.
An independent report, compiled by Katherine Newton KC in December 2023, featured testimonies from three former players. One player, of South Asian descent, was nicknamed “bomber,” while another, of Black heritage, endured racist slurs like “Banana.” ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould condemned the behavior, stating, “Racism has no place in our sport… It is vital we listen, learn, and ensure no one suffers like that again.”
The charges relate to incidents from 2001 to 2010, when the club breached ECB Directive 3.3, which addresses conduct prejudicial to cricket. Essex Chairman Anu Mohindru KC acknowledged the report as a step towards rectifying past wrongs and creating a more inclusive future.
The investigation was sparked by a 2017 incident where former Essex chair John Faragher allegedly used a racial slur, leading to a £50,000 fine and the commissioning of the Newton report. Essex has until October 2 to appeal the latest ruling.
Dave Lewis, Interim Director of the Cricket Regulator, praised those who came forward, stating, “The racism at Essex was abhorrent… This prosecution will help ensure no one suffers again, and racism is never normalized.”
The IOPC found that Essex Police had failed to adequately address racism within the force, leading to a culture of discrimination and bias.
The investigation found that Essex Police had failed to properly investigate complaints of racism, and that officers had used excessive force against black people. The IOPC also found that the force had failed to provide adequate training on race and diversity, and that there was a lack of diversity among senior officers.
The fine is the largest ever imposed on a police force for systemic racism. It is a clear indication that the IOPC is taking the issue of racism in policing very seriously. The fine is also a warning to other police forces that they must take steps to address racism within their ranks.
The IOPC’s investigation found that Essex Police had failed to adequately address racism within the force, leading to a culture of discrimination and bias. The investigation found that Essex Police had failed to properly investigate complaints of racism, and that officers had used excessive force against black people. The IOPC also found that the force had failed to provide adequate training on race and diversity, and that there was a lack of diversity among senior officers.
The fine is a clear indication that the IOPC is taking the issue of racism in policing very seriously. It is also a warning to other police forces that they must take steps to address racism within their ranks.
The fine is a welcome step towards addressing the issue of racism in policing. However, it is important to remember that this is just one step. There is still much more work to be done to ensure that all police forces are free from racism.