Cricket
Former Scotland cricket player demands inquiry as racism allegation cleared
One of Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-takers has called for a “full inquiry” after he was cleared of allegations of racism following a year-long legal investigation.
John Blain was suspended from Cricket Scotland’s Hall of Fame after allegations of racist behaviour were made against him and another, unnamed former internationalist.
The entire Cricket Scotland board resigned in July 2022 ahead of the publication of an independent review that highlighted 448 examples of institutional racism.
Following a year-long investigation carried out jointly by Harper Macleod, Bishop, Lloyd & Jackson and Sporting Equals, the claims that John Blain was among those examples have been rejected after numerous witness statements and a dossier of factual evidence were presented to investigators.
Blain, who represented Scotland 118 times, received written confirmation in January this year from former Cricket Scotland CEO Pete Fitzboydon that all allegations against him had been “unfounded” and that no action would be taken against him.
However, the 45-year-old was asked to keep the judgement confidential to enable Cricket Scotland to inform the complainers – but Blain feels “forced” to go public after claiming that Cricket Scotland is “running scared”.
Speaking out on social media, he said: “It’s obvious to me that, rather than publish this very clear and detailed judgement which fully exonerates me, Cricket Scotland is once again running scared of the small “anti-racist” cabal which has exerted such a malign influence over our sport.
“My life has been on hold for too long and it’s time that the truth is finally told about one of the biggest sporting scandals of recent times.
“Now that the investigation has cleared me, I am finally able to respond to those who falsely accused me. I simply could not believe that, after giving both Majid and Qasim considerable support during their careers, they made such false and disgraceful accusations against me.