SCOTTISH CRICKET IN FRESH RACISM ROW

FORMER player Majid Haq has criticised Cricket Scotland for their reluctance to suspend an individual, who has been accused of racial discrimination, from their coaching staff for the T20 World Cup. The person, who has not been named, was removed from Scotland’s travelling party just hours before they flew out for the tournament, which begins in Australia next month. Consultancy firm Plan4 Sport, who led the review into racism in cricket north of the border, had registered early concerns over the ongoing involvement of the individual. Cricket Scotland believed the person involved should be free to continue in their role while the review is taking place. It is believed, however, that only hours before the tour party was due to fly out this week, officials had a change of heart and the person did not travel. Haq’s testimony was one of many that led to the resignation of the entire Cricket Scotland board and a major inquiry within the sport that found it to be institutionally racist. In an interview with The Cricketer website, Haq claimed that those now

running Cricket Scotland ‘still don’t get it’, having taken their time to remove the person for the tournament in Australia. ‘I think this proves they still don’t get it,’ Haq said. ‘Of course there has to be a process. But can they think, after everything that has happened, that this is the sort of character around whom they can build a new dressing room culture? ‘It feels as if they are still looking for excuses not to act. I feel, in particular, for any players of colour in the squad. They have been put in an invidious position. ‘Speak out and they will be seen as troublemakers destabilising the squad, but stay silent and they face an uncomfortable dressing room environment and being accused of turning a blind eye to racism. I’ve been where they are. It’s horrible.’ Haq, sent home from the 2015 World Cup after suggesting on social media that he may have been left out of the team to play Sri Lanka for race-related reasons, has been backed up by another former Scotland player, Qasim Sheikh. ‘This recent knowledge of a person put up for multiple referrals being considered for a role with the World Cup squad after everything that has happened shows how little Cricket Scotland and their lawyers are doing,’ said Sheikh. ‘We have a long way to go.’ Lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represents Haq, added that not allowing the person to travel was ‘too little, too late.’ He said: ‘Cricket Scotland is still having to be dragged into doing the right thing. They tick a few boxes but, for them, it is business as usual.’ A spokesman for Cricket Scotland last night refused to make any comment.