A former Scottish cricketer who exposed racism in the sport has been “victimised” for his stance, an independent report has found. Majid Haq, who was sent home from the 2015 Cricket World Cup after making comments about race, has faced backlash ever since. The findings raise fresh concerns about the handling of racism allegations within Scottish cricket.
Report Highlights Concerns Over Cricket Scotland’s Handling of Racism Allegations
An independent report has concluded that Majid Haq was not only sidelined for speaking out about racism but was also subjected to further discrimination in the aftermath. The findings follow a damning 2022 review that labeled Cricket Scotland “institutionally racist.”
- The 2022 review uncovered 448 instances of racism within Scottish cricket, leading to 43 specific allegations against 27 individuals.
- Among these, 13 claims were made by Majid Haq, spanning his club and international career.
- Cricket Scotland commissioned additional legal and investigative reviews, leading to differing opinions on Haq’s case.
One of the reports suggests that instead of investigating his allegations, the governing body perceived Haq himself as “the problem.” His claims were dismissed, and his later attempts to progress in the sport as an umpire were “substantially undermined.” A separate legal opinion, however, reportedly offers a different perspective.
Cricket Scotland Denies Inaction But Admits Challenges
Cricket Scotland has rejected suggestions that it has failed to tackle racism in the sport. The organization insists it is implementing more than 200 recommendations from previous reports and is actively working towards an inclusive cricketing environment.
The governing body has also stated that it has received multiple legal assessments, and that the latest report is just one perspective among many. It defended its handling of the situation, claiming:
- It has a duty of care to all members of the cricketing community.
- It remains committed to addressing racism and other forms of discrimination.
- The confidential nature of the reports prevents full disclosure of their findings.
Haq and Sheikh Speak Out on the Impact of Racism Allegations
Majid Haq has spoken candidly about the difficulties he has faced since raising concerns. He, along with former Scotland teammate Qasim Sheikh, has been vocal about racism within the sport, which they say has led to thousands of racist and abusive messages online.
“It seems like everything is being brushed under the carpet,” Haq said. “The trust has been lost. I can’t believe you have to work this hard to get justice.”
Qasim Sheikh has also detailed his own experiences, including being told he should “count himself lucky” to be part of the team after voicing concerns about discrimination. The extent of the abuse directed at Haq and Sheikh was further highlighted by a report from the Running Out Racism charity, which identified nearly 3,000 racist messages from a single individual alone.
Broader Implications for Scottish Cricket and Government Intervention
The findings have reignited concerns over the governance of Scottish cricket and whether enough has been done to address racism in the sport. Graham Campbell, a spokesman for the Running Out Racism charity, has expressed serious doubts about Cricket Scotland’s commitment to change.
“They’ve brought in anti-racism experts, and those experts have confirmed institutional racism exists,” Campbell said. “Yet, instead of a sea change in behavior, we’ve seen an attempt to sweep things under the carpet.”
There are growing calls for the Scottish government to intervene. SportScotland, which provides public funding to Cricket Scotland, is under pressure to take a more active role in ensuring reforms are not just promised but delivered. Similar issues of racism and sexism have also surfaced in English and Welsh cricket, suggesting that discrimination remains a deep-seated problem in the sport beyond Scotland’s borders.
Cricket Scotland’s Response: “Not a Declaration of Fact”
In response to the latest findings, Cricket Scotland reiterated its commitment to inclusivity and pushed back against criticism. The organization said it “refutes any claims” that it is failing to address racism and maintained that the report in question was an opinion rather than a definitive judgment.
“It is deeply disappointing that an investigative process reliant on trust has led to furthering personal agendas,” Cricket Scotland said. “We understand a small number of individuals continue to feel publicly aggrieved, but the report is not a declaration of fact.”
Despite these reassurances, critics remain skeptical. The calls for accountability continue to grow, and until meaningful changes are seen on and off the pitch, the controversy surrounding Scottish cricket is unlikely to fade.
