Heather Knight apologizes for 2012 blackface photo, fined
Heather Knight, the captain of England women's cricket team, has been reprimanded and fined by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC). The action was taken in response to a 2012 photograph of Knight in blackface that surfaced on social media. The CDC charged her with violating ECB Directive 3.3 last month, which prohibits conduct that could harm cricket's reputation or bring any cricketer or group into disrepute. Here are further details.
Knight admits to violation of regulations
The controversial photograph was taken at a 'sports stars' party in 2012, where Knight was seen in blackface. The Cricket Regulator discovered this image on a third party's Facebook account. It remains uncertain whether the photo was or is still publicly accessible, or if its visibility was limited to the third party's connections. Despite not having control over the photo's posting or deletion, Knight acknowledged her breach of the regulations.
CDC issues reprimand and suspended fine
CDC adjudicator Tim O'Gorman issued a reprimand to Knight and imposed a £1,000 fine. Following the ruling, Knight expressed her remorse in a statement on the ECB's website. She admitted her lack of understanding about the implications of her actions at that time and emphasized her commitment toward promoting inclusivity in cricket.
ECB CEO acknowledges Knight's efforts toward inclusivity
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould acknowledged Knight's apology for her past mistake. He highlighted her efforts as a public figure and leader in fostering a more inclusive future for cricket. Gould praised Knight for championing diversity initiatives and advocating for marginalized communities, describing her as a positive role model. He also emphasized the importance of learning from past incidents to combat racism and discrimination in cricket.
