A damning report published yesterday found 448 examples of racism at Cricket Scotland. It concluded the sporting body failed in almost all of the indicators of institutional racism.
Not only that, dozens of cases against individuals, clubs and a regional association have been referred for further investigation.
Examples of racism cited in the review range from the lack of transparency to racial abuse. In short, the report shows the governance of cricket in Scotland has been a disgrace. It has allowed young players on the basis of their skin colour to be marginalised and kept from fulfilling their potential.
In all sport there can be few things as cruel as denying talent the chance to flourish. But to prevent or undermine the development of potential by discrimination is unforgivable.
It it right the board for Cricket Scotland resigned in advance of the publication of the report. The members presided over a rotten culture that ruined the dreams of young and established sports men and women.
They should be ashamed. Their departure will give the sport a chance to reset and find its place in modern Scotland. But other parts of Scottish public life should pay attention to what has happened here and be on the front foot to tackle prejudice.
Sportscotland’s chief executive Stewart Harris summed it up when he said: “Racism is a societal problem and it is no longer good enough to simply be non-racist – Scottish sport must now be actively anti-racist.”
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