Cricket Scotland (CS) faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of racism claims after allegations of racial discrimination against former cricketer Majid Haq emerged from a report. Haq claims he was victimized for speaking out, with one report indicating evidence of racial bias in his dismissal from the 2015 World Cup. However, CS argues that no actions were taken due to jurisdiction limits and process issues. Despite committing to implementing 245 recommendations, CS has been accused of cherry-picking report details and lacking transparency. Haq and advocates express frustration over CS’s response and its attempts to withhold damaging conclusions.
Cricket Scotland’s (CS) conflict over race is poised to resurface following allegations that the board has been evasive and selective in its responses to investigations of racism and discriminatory behavior.
Instead, the investigators proposed 245 recommendations, or learnings, which Cricket Scotland has committed to implementing.
However, it has now come to light that the two legal firms prepared reports from their joint investigations, which, according to Running Out Racism, contain “contradictory views among the investigation team members.” These reports focus on the time when Haq was sent home from the 2015 World Cup after tweeting “Always tougher when in a minority #race #colour” following his exclusion from a match. He never played for Scotland again, despite being their top wicket-taker.
According to Haq’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, one report indicates that Haq “was discriminated against and victimized for raising complaints of racism, and that victimization persists today.” This report presents prima facie evidence suggesting that the decision to send him home and other outcomes stemming from that decision involved elements of racial bias and discrimination. The other report reportedly offers a contrasting viewpoint.
These reports were initially intended for internal review by the board and were not shared in full with Haq, despite his requests. Running Out Racism stated they received a complete copy from an “anonymous source” and expressed concern over why Cricket Scotland had been “so elusive in providing further details.”
“While we acknowledge that the reports were prepared for Cricket Scotland, they were conducted independently, and the organization has chosen to highlight the aspects they prefer while omitting conclusions they find unfavorable. These conclusions reveal their lack of action in the face of clear evidence of issues.”
Haq stated that the board attempted to conceal the report’s conclusions from him. “[It] confirms what I have always believed – that I have faced racial discrimination and that I continue to be victimized for speaking up. Yet, Cricket Scotland has tried to hide that from me and dismiss me with comments like, ‘we could have managed your departure from the World Cup better.’
“Cricket Scotland has used jurisdiction as a shield repeatedly. While I am relieved to finally read my report and see the truth, all information should be disclosed and allow the public to determine accountability in this matter. It is evident that much information has been swept under the rug.”
Cricket Scotland has emphasized that the report represents an opinion and is one of several. The board voiced disappointment regarding the breach of confidentiality that allowed it to be shared beyond the organization.
“We recognize that a small number of individuals still feel publicly aggrieved by the outcomes of the process,” the board stated. “To suggest that this indicates Cricket Scotland is not taking an anti-racist stance is simply incorrect.
“It is profoundly disappointing that an investigative process, which relied on the trust of those involved and a confidential report that followed, is being exploited to further personal agendas.
“The report is an opinion formed around this matter, not a statement of fact. Other opinions and thorough legal analyses were provided for the Cricket Scotland Board’s consideration on how to proceed.”
Osman Samiuddin is a senior editor at ESPNcricinfo