Four members of Cricket Scotland’s anti-racism and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion advisory group have resigned over a perceived lack of progress in tackling racism. The resignations come after criticism last week when the Cricket Scotland chairman, Anjan Luthra, claimed progress was being made.
Scotland women’s international Abtaha Maqsood, businessman Imran Khan, academic Khadija Mohammed and Raza Sadiq, from Running Out Racism, are the four who have quit. It is understood the advisory group has met once.
A spokesperson for Sportscotland said: “It is deeply disappointing that members of Cricket Scotland’s anti-racism and EDI advisory group have decided to resign their positions. However, we fully respect and understand their decision to do so.
“We have been consistently clear that only by engaging in real and meaningful consultation and engagement will cultural change be delivered within the sport. We are having urgent discussions with Cricket Scotland on this issue.”
In July 2022, the entire Cricket Scotland board resigned on the eve of the publication of a damning independent report that outlined hundreds of instances of institutional racism within the organisation. A new chairman, Luthra, and interim chief executive, Gordon Arthur, were appointed to oversee a restructure of the organisation.
Last Tuesday, when it was announced Arthur was stepping down for personal reasons, Cricket Scotland issued an update from Luthra, which said the “formation of an EDI board subcommittee, along with the creation of an anti-racism and EDI advisory group reporting into the subcommittee, shows the progress made in imprinting an EDI focus upon the organisation”.
Quick Guide
How do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
However, the lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represents the former Scotland players Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, who last year alleged the governing body was “institutionally racist”, claimed Cricket Scotland remained “unfit for purpose”.
after newsletter promotion
The anti-racism campaign group Running Out Racism was also critical, saying the statement was “tone deaf and arrogant” and claiming: “The release by Cricket Scotland today has set back trust significantly and demonstrated that the governing body is failing in learning from the mistakes of the past.”