ICC steps in to solve racism issues between Namibia and Afghanistan

ICC stepped in as mediator and resolves the issue between Cricket Namibia and Afghanistan related to racism allegations

Cricket Namibia made a serious allegation on Afghanistan as it came under ICC Anti-Racism Code in a match played in Greater Noida from April 10th-12th. The match in which the incident happened was and ICC Inter-Continental Cup fixture. ICC announced on Monday that the matter has been resolved in the presence of both the concerned parties at Edinburgh under a confidential conciliation process. ICC saw to the issue with the help of experienced personnel in race related issues. Afghanistan agreed and admitted their mistake that some of the words used by players showed lack of sensitivity and misunderstanding between the two teams because of cultural differences between the two teams. ALSO READ: Do Afghanistan deserve Test cricket status more than Zimbabwe?

If the reports are to be believed, Afghanistan Cricket Board has admitted to the mistake and offered an apology to the player involved in the controversy. They laid emphasis that the comments were not in bad faith and was just a misunderstanding between the two. There was no intention from the player to breach the ICC Anti-Racism Code.

To avoid a similar incident in the future Afghanistan Cricket Board has taken an initiative that Afghanistan players should be a part of the course and undergo training to be organised by ICC which will focus solely on roles and responsibilities as a national cricketer. It will increase the player’s knowledge of the code of conduct they should follow both on and off the field with the players and educating them about the sensitivities related to language, race and culture.

ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson, commented: “I would like to thank all parties involved for their cooperation in and commitment to the conciliation process.  I am also extremely grateful to the conciliator for his professional approach.  The ICC would like to stress that there is no place for racism within the sport; we are proud of the diversity of the global cricket community and accordingly place the utmost importance on every participant according respect to their fellow players.”