Calls for inquiry to drive 'scourge of racism' out of Scottish cricket

There are calls for an inquiry to drive the “scourge of racism” out of Scottish cricket.

It comes after the entire Cricket Scotland board resigned ahead of a report into racism in the sport.

The document, expected to indicate that the organisation is “institutionally racist”, will be published on Monday morning.

An independent investigation was launched last year after allegations from former Scotland players that racism was deep-rooted and common within cricket in Scotland.

The country’s record wicket-taker Majid Haq has previously called for an inquiry.

His former team-mate, Qasim Sheikh also spoke about the abuse he has suffered during his career.

The review include testimony from more than 200 people involved in cricket in Scotland.

In a letter announcing their resignations, the Cricket Scotland board said they were “truly sorry” to everyone who has experienced racism, or any other form of discrimination, in cricket in Scotland.

Scottish Conservative MSP Sandesh Gulhane has now stated that a Holyrood committee must have oversight of driving racism out of the sport.

And he pointed to the racism scandal at Yorkshire County Cricket Club in learning lessons.

“Like many people with an Indian background, I have an almost religious devotion to cricket, so these revelations are profoundly distressing and disappointing,” he said.

“It goes without saying that racism should have no place in any sport or aspect of society, but it is particularly upsetting that it should rear its ugly head in cricket, with its especially diverse appeal.

“It is unquestionably right that the board of Cricket Scotland should have resigned en-masse, because it will be impossible to move forward unless we can have confidence that there will be root and branch reform.

“We will have to look at the detail of the report, but if the scourge of racism is to be driven out of Scottish cricket, as it must be, there should be oversight from the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.”

“We should also be looking at what happened south of the border, after the scandal involving Yorkshire County Cricket Club, to see what lessons must be learned.”

He added: “It’s clear that Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh have been abysmally treated and that there are deep-seated failings in the way that Cricket Scotland has been run.

“That must change, and change urgently.”