Cricket Scotland could be STRIPPED of its public funding due to findings of ‘institutional racism’

Cricket Scotland could be stripped of its public funding should it fail to meet recommendations set out in a damning review into racism in the sport.

Sportsmail understands the report, set to be published on Monday, will confirm findings of ‘institutional racism’ in Scottish cricket and will set out a number of recommendations the sport’s governing body will be tasked with completing within a dedicated timeframe.

If it fails to meet its obligations, its annual funding from Scotland’s national sport agency could be withdrawn.

Last year, Cricket Scotland received about £460,000 from Sportscotland. It’s understood, however, that the government agency is extremely concerned by the review’s findings and all options will now be on the table. Should Cricket Scotland have this funding rescinded, it would have a significant impact on the future of the sport.

Former Scotland cricketers Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh accused the governing body of institutional racism.

Sportscotland commissioned the independent review, led by Plan4Sport, in December 2021 after it was alerted to concerns from across Scottish cricket. Among the allegations, former Scotland cricketers Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh accused the governing body of institutional racism.

Speaking to Sportsmail earlier this year, Haq — Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-taker — detailed the difficulties he had faced following his departure from Cricket Scotland.

He admitted he had struggled with depression, loneliness and binge-eating since being banished from the World Cup in 2015, after sending a race-related Tweet during the event.

Haq’s Tweet stated ‘always tougher when you’re in the minority! #colour #race’ in reference to being left out of a match against Sri Lanka. The player was subsequently put on a plane home, never to play cricket for his country again.

Haq spoke out about his treatment after former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq told MPs that English cricket was institutionally racist.

His story is now one of many told to the review team at diversity, equality and inclusion experts Plan4Sport. Over several months, they have collated information and held meetings with hundreds of individuals who have come forward to tell their stories.

That includes former and current players, administrators, umpires, staff, volunteers and anyone who has faced racism within cricket in Scotland.

In April, an interim report released by those leading the review revealed that more than 200 people had already given evidence. The final number is expected to be significantly higher.

Cricket Scotland could lose Government funding if it fails to meet new recommendations

The findings of the review are expected to expose a large number of issues, with numerous recommendations being made to Cricket Scotland. Referrals have also been made to Police Scotland.

Cricket Scotland would not comment on the impending review, but in a statement said it was ‘truly sorry’ to anyone who had been racially abused while playing the sport.

A spokesperson told Sportsmail: ‘Cricket should be a welcoming place for everyone and not somewhere that racism or any form of discrimination takes place. The Cricket Scotland Board is truly sorry to everyone who has experienced racism in cricket in Scotland.

‘We’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in contributing to the review. We are not in a position to comment on the independent review’s report as we will not see it until it is published on Monday.’