Essex Cricket Club Fined for Systemic Racism

Essex County Cricket Club has been fined £100,000, with half suspended for two years, after admitting to systemic racism between 2001 and 2010. The fine follows an investigation by the Cricket Regulator and a report by Katherine Newton KC, which highlighted racist conduct and language at the club. Testimonies from former players Jahid Ali, Maurice Chambers, and Zoheb Sharif were integral to the findings. The club has been reprimanded and cautioned, and the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) acknowledged Essex's efforts to improve diversity and inclusion. ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould expressed his dismay over the incidents and emphasized the need for the sport to learn and prevent future occurrences. Essex has until October 2 to appeal the decision.