Cricket Scotland has found itself amid another controversy as a formal investigation has been launched regarding historic tweets made by board member Khizar Ali. The tweets, which date back to 2012, contain derogatory language, including the use of racially offensive terms aimed at Pakistanis and Indians. Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board in May 2023, has since faced significant backlash.
The revelation of these tweets has prompted an urgent response from Running out Racism, an organization dedicated to eradicating racism from cricket. They have called for an immediate investigation, reflecting their shock and disappointment. A spokesperson for Running out Racism stated, "We have been made aware of the historic tweets circulating in relation to Cricket Scotland board member and WDCU chair Khizar Ali, from 2012 which include comments regarding various racialised communities. This includes racially offensive terms, such as the P word on numerous occasions."
This incident comes on the heels of substantial reforms within Cricket Scotland. Last year, an independent investigation exposed 448 instances of institutional racism within the governance of Scottish cricket, prompting a complete overhaul of the board. In response to the current situation, a spokesperson for Cricket Scotland emphasized their dedication to inclusivity, "The board of Cricket Scotland was completely changed last year after an independent investigation found the governance of the game in Scotland to be institutionally racist. We are committed to ensuring that our sport is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and open to all. We are determined to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racism, sexism, and all forms of unacceptable behaviour."
Khizar Ali's Apology
In light of the controversy, Khizar Ali has openly acknowledged the offensive nature of his past remarks and offered a public apology. He expressed remorse, stating, "There were recent screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 where I used the P word. The reading of the word in full for some within the South Asian and cricketing communities will invoke and trigger upset. To anyone who has to read that and it caused upset, I want to extend my sincere apologies to you." He further committed to engaging in discussions directly with concerned individuals, saying, "There are also various other tweets which are being shared out of context of the conversation they sit within, and I am willing to commit to any discussions directly with anyone who has any concerns on these, as I have already with a number of colleagues."
Reactions from Running out Racism
Despite Ali's apology and willingness to confront the issue head-on, Running out Racism members expressed their disappointment. Their spokesperson commented, "Running out Racism members are surprised, dismayed and feel incredibly let down that someone we've a huge amount of respect for would use such words, in any context, at any point in history. This has caused upset and anger with some we support and represent, it is difficult at this stage to work beyond how people feel in the immediate term. However, we do acknowledge Khizar’s willingness to proactively own this, and appreciate the conversations he's engaged in directly with us and many others regarding these messages."
Commitment to Progress
The ongoing investigation into Khizar Ali's past remarks underscores the broader challenges facing Cricket Scotland as it strives to build a more inclusive environment. The sport's governing body in Scotland has reiterated its commitment to tackling all forms of discrimination and fostering a culture of openness and acceptance. As Cricket Scotland navigates this latest controversy, the actions taken will be closely scrutinized by both the public and advocacy groups like Running out Racism.
This incident not only highlights the importance of vigilance and accountability within sports organizations but also serves as a reminder of the long road ahead in the fight against racism and discrimination in all its forms. The cricket community in Scotland, and beyond, will be watching closely as Cricket Scotland addresses these significant challenges and strives to uphold the standards it has set for itself in the wake of last year's revelations.