Cricket Scotland Initiates Investigation Into Board Member's Historic Tweets
Cricket Scotland has launched a formal investigation after it emerged that Khizar Ali, a newly appointed member of its board, had previously posted tweets containing derogatory language. These tweets, dating back to 2012, included the use of the racially offensive "P" word referring to Pakistanis, along with other disparaging remarks aimed at Indians.
Khizar Ali, who was appointed to Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, has found himself at the center of a controversy that is drawing significant attention. The revelations have alarmed several communities and organizations, particularly Running out Racism, which has called for immediate action.
Ali has been actively involved with Running out Racism, a group that has been tirelessly working to eliminate racism from the sport. In a statement regarding the incident, a spokesperson from Running out Racism said, "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."
Ali addressed the situation and extended an apology, emphasizing the harm the tweets might have caused. "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 stated.
The controversy has not only put a spotlight on Ali but also reignited discussions about Cricket Scotland's efforts to address racism within its ranks. Last year, an independent investigation unveiled extensive institutional racism within the governance of the sport in Scotland, identifying 448 examples of such behavior. As a result of this investigation, Cricket Scotland’s board underwent a complete overhaul to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.
A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed the board’s commitment to inclusivity and tolerance. "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 behavior," the spokesperson remarked.
Running out Racism also expressed a complex mix of emotions in response to the revelation. "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," commented a spokesperson from the organization.
Ali, while apologetic, also pointed out that some of the tweets have been shared out of context and expressed his openness to engage in discussions to address concerns. "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," he clarified.
The current situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Cricket Scotland in eliminating deep-seated racism within its structures. It is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to transform the cricketing environment into one that truly reflects its commitment to diversity and inclusivity.