Outcome of Independent Investigation into Discrimination - December 2022

We last week heard the findings from an independent review conducted into the racism and discriminatory practice faced by Umar Razaq.

Red Snapper Group were instructed as an independent body in early 2022 to investigate how Umar’s case was handled from when the initial incident occurred and was brought to the attention of the league, through to the intervention panel formed at Leicestershire County Cricket Club to address his allegations.

We met alongside Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League (L&RCL), colleagues from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Umar to hear the outcomes of their investigation.

Red Snapper found that the initial complaint raised to the league of racially abusive language used about Umar by another team’s player was dealt with appropriately with an enforced 11-match ban.

A further complaint was made by Umar regarding a Facebook photograph from 2014 which included members of the same team in blackface as characters from the film Cool Runnings at a private event alongside a league committee member.

Umar subsequently raised questions around the independence of L&RCL’s governance after the relegation of his team from the league by default after the team he plays for failure to update a mandatory safeguarding certificate. Here, Leicestershire CCC was asked to step in to mediate the issues between Umar and the league as an independent advisory body; the lack of a robust and timely process at this time then became a complaint in itself and was found to ultimately contribute to the victimisation of Umar.

Red Snapper’s findings have informed a number of key recommendations and actions for both LCCC and LRCL to undertake to ensure cases like Umar’s do not happen again “ and that if and when concerns are raised, they are dealt with independently and efficiently to properly support those bravely calling out discrimination.

We fully accept our own shortcomings for the lack of process and governance in place to support both Umar and the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League in properly addressing these allegations when they were first brought to our attention, leading to further distress for all parties involved.

We have offered an unreserved apology to Umar, and we are firmly embracing the recommendations outlined as an opportunity for us to learn, to fully engage, and to do better.

Racism is not about isolated incidents. Our priorities are now focused on making sure discrimination of any kind is eliminated not only from within the county-wide game, but within the processes we establish and maintain at Leicestershire County Cricket Club to protect players across the county with concerns.

We recognise that we have got work to do and have already begun to implement changes. As such, we are proud to have been the first professional club within the domestic structure to appoint an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director this year to oversee this work and lead much needed institutional change.

Umar remains a key catalyst for change in ensuring other players in the game do not face racism and those who have concerns have a safe place to turn to.

Racism has no place in our sport. Leicestershire CCC is committed to effecting meaningful change within the governance of our club and our county’s recreational leagues. We are proud to represent one of the most multicultural counties in the country and we want to ensure cricket is unquestionably inclusive and free from all forms of discrimination both on and off the pitch.