Cricket Scotland impose lifetime ban on man who racially abused umpire Majid Haq during match

A man who racially abused umpire and former Scotland cricketer Majid Haq has been banned for life by the sport’s governing body.

Cricket Scotland have imposed the “unprecedented” ban on Ronnie McGregor.

The 64-year-old, who was a scorer at Greenock Cricket Club, admitted racially abusing Mr Haq at his trial last week.

He was heard calling the umpire a “cheating p***” before telling him to his face that it was a statement of “fact” during a match in August.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar, representing Mr Haq, released a statement on behalf on his client after the decision was made by Cricket Scotland on Friday.

It said: “Majid welcomes the decision of Cricket Scotland to give Ronnie McGregor a lifetime ban.

“Majid said that whilst McGregor has failed to show any remorse, despite having pled guilty to the criminal charge, he hopes such robust action by Cricket Scotland sends out a strong signal to anyone who wishes to engage in such vile and racist conduct.

“Majid believes it is time that the clubs took a zero-tolerance approach to racism and any other forms of discrimination by those who wish to keep cricket in the dark ages.”

Mr Haq initially never heard McGregor’s abuse, but at the rain break when he was told by someone what had been said.

When confronted over his comments McGregor told the victim that is was a ‘factual term’ and repeated the slur in front of a crowd.

Mr Haq then called over his umpiring colleague and told him what was said.

The scorer Ronnie McGregor then got up as the situation escalated and spoke to the Greenock captain Greg McDougall, who said that it was best he left the ground which he eventually left off his own accord.

A Cricket Scotland statement after the incident said: “Cricket Scotland condemns in the strongest possible terms the behaviour that took place at Greenock.

“Racism has no place in sport or society. It is a scar on cricket, and Cricket Scotland is wholly committed, along with our partners, to eradicating racist behaviour and attitudes from our game.”