SNSFormer Scotland cricket worldwide John Blain has criticised delays to the publication of a report that he says clears him of racism.
John Blain says he was advised by Cricket Scotland’s then-chief government Pete Fitzboydon in January that the allegations towards him have been unfounded
It adopted claims – some made by all-time leading wicket-taker Majid Haq – of racism and discrimination.
Cricket Scotland had appointed an impartial authorized staff who specialize in discrimination to hold out the assessment.
Blain, one in every of Scotland’s all-time main wicket-takers, says he was requested to stay quiet till the complainants had been knowledgeable of the result.
However he now feels that 5 months is just too lengthy to attend – and has known as for an inquiry into the actions of the game’s governing physique.
Blain, who was capped 118 occasions for his nation, stated he believed that by not publishing the report sooner, Cricket Scotland was “working scared”.
“My life has been on maintain for too lengthy,” he added.
Blain has now made public the letter which he says Cricket Scotland despatched him.
In it, former CEO Pete Fitzboydon says: “Additional to latest dialogue I write to substantiate the conclusion of the continuing investigation into allegations made towards you.
“As suggested, these allegations haven’t been based, and there is no case to reply, and so this matter is now thought of closed.”
Cricket Scotland stated it had “engaged extensively with all events all through a fancy, difficult and emotive impartial investigative course of”.
It added: “This has included providing acceptable help to each complainants and respondents.
“We’ll remark additional upon the conclusion of the impartial investigative course of, while persevering with to supply help to all these concerned.”
Majid Haq represented Scotland on greater than 200 events however didn’t play once more after being despatched dwelling from the 2015 World Cup.
On the time he hinted he felt victimised on grounds of race.
His former Scotland teammate Qasim Sheikh additionally spoke overtly about being racially abused.
In July 2022, a report commissioned by funding physique SportScotland discovered that there was proof of institutional racism in Scottish cricket.
The “Altering the Boundaries” assessment highlighted 448 examples.
Cricket Scotland’s entire board resigned a day forward of the report’s publication.
‘Unjust verdict’
Following a separate investigation by the English cricket’s ruling physique the ECB in March 2023, John Blain was one in every of six gamers discovered responsible of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Membership.
It adopted accusations made by former England international Azeem Rafiq.
Blain, Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah have been all discovered to have used racist slurs.
They have been fined sums of between £2,500 sand £6,000.
John Blain stated: “The truth that the year-long Scottish investigation has fully exonerated me fatally undermines the ECB course of and should drive them to rethink their unjust verdict and clear my identify.”
An ECB spokesperson stated the Cricket Self-discipline Fee had upheld the cost towards John Blain for utilizing racist language at Yorkshire in or round 2010 and 2011 after contemplating all of the proof earlier than it.
This included John Blain’s defence “and numerous supporting witness statements filed by him (by his then authorized staff) earlier than he withdrew from the method”.
The spokesperson added: “What occurs sooner or later is now a matter for the Cricket Regulator. They’re conscious of Mr Blain’s assertion.”
Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, stated each former gamers “stay victims of racism who proceed to be abused, vilified and excluded for daring to talk out. Sadly I think that may now improve.”
He added: “It was galling for my shoppers to see the large camaraderie and help Mr.Blain obtained compared to the abject silence from Scottish cricket, when Majid and Qasim positioned their heads above the parapet.
“My shoppers have been subjected to all the assorted variations of racism that may be practiced however are but to see any actual motion in response.
“Cricket Scotland hoped this matter would merely go away, it won’t, as they are going to see within the coming days.”