Cricket Scotland could reportedly lose almost £500,000 worth of funding after they were found to be "institutionally racist" by an independent review.
The damning review found 448 examples of institutional racism within the sport, with Cricket Scotland failing 29 of the 31 indicators equality and diversity experts Plan4Sport used to measure the issue. SportScotland, the government agency which called for the review, handed Cricket Scotland £460,000 in funds last year and the Scottish Daily Mail have reported that the funding could be rescinded.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes institutionally racist organisations need to be penalised financially as it is "the only way the message will get heard".
"Institutional racism, the sort that Cricket Scotland today stands accused of, is serious," Panesar wrote in a column for the Telegraph.
"It cannot be seen - it is invisible racism, rather than visible - but its effects are crystal clear: companies, or sports organisations like Cricket Scotland, refusing to promote or employ people from ethnic minorities.
"It is good, then, that Cricket Scotland's funding will be taken away if demands are not met. This is the only way the message will get heard."
The review was commissioned after Scotland's all-time leading wicket-taker Majid Haq spoke out about suffering racist abuse during his career and Panesar praised his "bravery and courage". "It takes a brave man to speak up about racism," he added.
"Majid Haq tweeted during the World Cup about race-related issues and was sent home immediately. Then he had trouble with depression, loneliness and binge eating.
"I feel sorry for him but applaud his bravery and courage. If you have suffered racism you should speak up and let people know."
