Jason Holder is one of only two ethnic minority arbitrators in the history of the ECB, according to Stump Out Racism. Former wicket keeper and future referee Ismail Dawood says racial discrimination is “deeply rooted in the organization”.
Last updated: 11/17/20 7:11 am
Ismail Dawood (right) played for Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire before becoming a referee
Former test referee John Holder and ex-player Ismail Dawood want an investigation into the lack of ethnic minority gaming officers in English gaming.
Before he retired 11 years ago, Holder worked as a professional arbitrator for almost 30 years. Since then, no non-white umpires have been included on the First Class Umpires panel.
Dawood played for Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire before ending his 2005 season and neglecting his career as a referee after failing to win promotion to the panel.
A statement from Stump Out Racism, a grassroots organization fighting racism in cricket, alleges that “vicious and systematic racism” has hit ethnic minorities once they have reached positions such as the reserve panel and run an independent quality control organization Investigation requested and an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission
They say they have no confidence in the handling of complaints about “institutional racism” by the ECB and they also claim to have evidence of “deliberate obstruction and interference with the handling of serious complaints”.
Owner and namesake Vanburn Holder are the only arbitrators for ethnic minorities in the history of the ECB, according to Stump Out Racism.
Holder, who has participated in 11 tests and 19 one-day internationals, said in the statement: “It’s now been 11 years since I retired and 10 for Vanburn (Holder) and no other non-white umpires have been the Panel added Many have adorned the game.
“My suspicion is that there was a definitive policy of hiring only white people for this position. There must be a transparent policy on the selection, training and mentoring of referees that does not currently exist.”
The allegations stem from Azeem Rafiq’s allegation of “institutional racism” at his former Yorkshire club, which has opened an investigation.
Dawood feels that because of his background he has been denied progress and has called for change.
He said, “The language I’ve heard over the years has been awful. Words like P ** are, C *** s, N **** s from people affiliated with the ECB. Some of those languages were used in front of senior ECB managers, which I found extremely worrying.
“After working for cricket in various progressive sectors, I feel that the ECB is the last colonial outpost, archaic and any change is just marketing rhetoric.
“The glass ceiling is incredibly low for BAME people, with systematic racism in their hearts. I feel like I’ve come across racial discrimination, dishonesty and misinformation, cronyism and bullying, all of which are deeply rooted in the organization.
“It was an isolating place for a person with a BAME background. Even to the extent that I was denied progress.
“It would be interesting to see what the sponsors think of institutional racism as they need to take action to stamp out racism as well. We need change and the ECB needs to take action to achieve real equality and build a better future.”
Sky Sports News has asked the ECB for a comment.
.
