SNSCricket Scotland has launched a proper investigation after a member of its board apologised for historic tweets the place he used the “P” phrase in reference to Pakistanis.
Khizar Ali joined the governing physique’s board as a regional consultant in Could 2023.
The tweets, which date again to 2012, additionally seem to incorporate language derogatory to Indians.
Cricket Scotland has mentioned it’s dedicated to tackling all types of discrimination.
In a press release launched by way of social media, Mr Ali mentioned he initially believed his use of the P phrase was a manner of “reclaiming it” from individuals who used it as a racial slur in opposition to him and other people from his group.
However he mentioned he now recognised it was the improper factor to do.
He mentioned: “There have been latest screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 the place I used the P phrase.
“The studying of the phrase in full for some throughout the South Asian and cricketing communities will invoke and set off upset.
“To anybody who has to learn that and it brought about upset, I need to lengthen my honest apologies to you.”
Mr Ali added: “There are additionally numerous different tweets that are being shared out of context of the dialog they sit inside, and I’m keen to decide to any discussions instantly with anybody who has any considerations on these, as I’ve already with various colleagues.”
The board of Cricket Scotland was utterly modified final 12 months after an independent investigation found the governance the game in Scotland to be institutionally racist.
The assessment highlighted 448 examples that demonstrated institutional racism.
Confirming it was investigating Mr Ali’s tweets, a Cricket Scotland spokesperson mentioned the board was dedicated to “guaranteeing that our sport is secure, welcoming, inclusive, and open to all”.
It added that it was “decided to undertake a zero-tolerance strategy to racism, sexism, and all types of unacceptable behaviour”.
‘Stunned, dismayed and let down’
Mr Ali was additionally concerned with the marketing campaign group, Working out Racism, who’ve known as for an pressing investigation.
A spokesperson for the group mentioned: “We now have been made conscious of the historic tweets circulating in relation to Cricket Scotland board member and WDCU (Western District Cricket Union) chair Khizar Ali, from 2012 which embrace feedback concerning numerous racialised communities.
“This consists of racially offensive phrases, such because the P phrase on quite a few events.
“Working Out Racism members are shocked, dismayed and really feel extremely let down that somebody we have an enormous quantity of respect for would use such phrases, in any context, at any level in historical past.
“This has brought about upset and anger with some we help and symbolize, it’s tough at this stage to work past how individuals really feel within the fast time period.
“Nonetheless we do acknowledge Khizar’s willingness to proactively personal this, and respect the conversations he is engaged in instantly with us and lots of others concerning these messages. “
