Cricketer claims he was sacked after complaining about racial slur

In 2022 an independent review found the governance and leadership of the sport to be institutionally racist, prompting the entire Cricket Scotland board to resign.

Anwar claimed little progress had been made and that his clients had been subjected to “spurious allegations and attacks”.

Aamer Anwar, the solicitor representing players who say they have been subjected to racism

ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

“Once more cricketers are forced to step forward to address racism and discrimination, exposing Cricket Scotland as an institution not fit for purpose,” Anwar said.

Tahir then announced he would never play for Scotland again and alleged he had encountered overt racism, from an individual he did not name, during an overseas tour.

“A coach used the P-word several times whilst in conversation with a senior playing member and staff member within earshot of myself and my team mate, who is also South Asian,” he said. “It’s a derogatory term and he shouldn’t be saying it.”

The incident was investigated but Tahir claimed that no action was taken, although he received a verbal apology which “felt very insincere”. “It made me feel like it was okay to use racist terms,” he said.

Tahir claimed that he had been told he had no future while white players who he had consistently outperformed were offered new contracts.

“It’s clear they have built a narrative that is not true,” he said. “I currently have an unfair dismissal case ongoing. From legal advice it’s a fairly open and shut case which I expect to be upheld.”

Majid Haq, the former Scotland international, has spoken out about being racially abused by online trolls

SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES

Anwar claimed serious allegations made against an unnamed Scottish league team, made in January 2023, were only now being investigated.

“It included allegations of racially segregating kids, chastising people talking in their mother tongue and moving people on when praying on the side of the pitch,” he said.

He suggested that photographs existed which appeared to show young players divided on the basis of the colour of their skins. “It is now 2024 and this is not Mississippi,” he said.

Running Out Racism, the campaign group, claimed they were told the allegations had “fallen through the cracks” and were not initially investigated, despite three whistleblowers coming forward.

Anwar suggested that figures within Cricket Scotland wanted to weed out Asian players and create an white-only team. “There are individuals out there that would like to see that,” he said. “They operate in a white culture. They couldn’t see racism if it hit them in the face. They are dinosaurs.”

He claimed that individuals who had spoken out, such as Majid Haq, the former Scotland international, and Dr Azhar Abdullah, a club player, had been subjected to racist abuse from online trolls.

“Some people, at an extreme level, have considered suicide,” Anwar said. “Police Scotland is involved. The Metropolitan Police have been involved. If Cricket Scotland can’t do their job then shut it down.”

Cricket Scotland said the reasons behind Tahir’s departure were performance-based

MATTHEW LEWIS/ICC/GETTY IMAGES

Cricket Scotland suggested there were “performance-based reasons” for Tahir’s contract not being renewed. “Hamza Tahir has been a tremendous servant to the Scotland men’s national team, and while the news of his international retirement is disappointing, we thank him for his service,” a spokesman said. “Cricket Scotland’s performance department remains satisfied with its decision.”

He added: “We are currently carrying out an independent investigation into the matters raised and will respond accordingly to Hamza and his advisers.”

Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, said: “I sympathise with those who harbour a feeling of injustice, and we will continue to engage respectfully throughout the mediation process.

“Ongoing instability and recrimination, played out in front of the media, will only cause
further damage to relationships and reputations, and deepen the wounds that need to heal.”

Earlier this month John Blain, who played for Scotland 118 times, told The Sunday Times he had received a letter from Peter Fitzboydon, Cricket Scotland’s former chief executive, stating that allegations of racist conduct made against him had “not been founded”. Blain also said he had received a call from Lindblade assuring him he had no case to answer.

Cricket Scotland said the claims against Blain were not progressed “due to a combination of insufficient evidence, a lack of an applicable rule at the time of the complaint and/or a lack of jurisdictional remit or authority to take formal action.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed it had upheld a separate charge that Blain used racist language while playing for Yorkshire in 2010 and 2011.