PRESS STATEMENT – 10TH JUNE 2024 – STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF CRICKETERS MAJID HAQ AND QASIM SHEIKH

Aamer Anwar- Solicitor- Statement on behalf of cricketers
Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh

“Disappointingly, many of the complainants involved in Changing the Boundaries are yet to be told of the final conclusion of their complaints.  That Cricket Scotland wrote this letter to John Blain in January, months before even talking to the complainants, when a number of issues were still ongoing, and we were still engaging in inquiries (and in some cases still not concluded) demonstrates how flawed the so called ‘due process’ is.

At this point, it is important to stress, that some but not all of the allegations against John Blain were made public by him, never by running out racism, other complainants or my clients.

At all times my clients have shown respect for the process and confidentiality, despite their many frustrations with the process and the significant errors.

It is clear from Mr. Blain’s statement that he has chosen to target and label Qasim and Majid in his press release, by claiming they had made ‘unfounded claims’. Both Majid and Qasim remain victims of racism who continue to be abused, vilified and excluded for daring to speak out. Sadly I suspect that will now increase.

It was galling for my clients to see the huge camaraderie and support Mr. Blain received in comparison to the abject silence from Scottish cricket, when Majid and Qasim placed their heads above the parapet. My clients were subjected to all the various versions of racism that can be practiced but are yet to see any real action in response.

Cricket Scotland hoped this matter would simply go away, it will not, as they will see in the coming days.

Mr. Blain was found guilty following complaints of racism in England, which included a complaint not part of the Cricket Scotland inquiries. It was as we understand it Mr. Blain who refused to engage in the proceedings and perhaps he would wish to confirm if he has yet paid the fine imposed or has gone on the retraining ordered following the findings of ECB.

My clients have heard nothing about his proposed legal action, but would welcome the opportunity of an open court hearing of their experience of racism over the many years they gave to Cricket Scotland.

The one thing we can all agree with, is the need for the facts to be made public now.  My clients have engaged in good faith in a process that has taken too long, and resulted in yet another case study for why Scottish cricket needs to accept institutional racism and put in place urgent changes to stop this happening again. The culture of denial remains rife and the dinosaurs are very much alive and well.

My clients believe they no longer have any choice, but to ensure a full and public disclosure of their ongoing concerns.  They are in the process of finalising all the evidence, which demonstrates to them just how much of a farce this entire process has been. The governing body has once again let down the real victims, which include not just Majid and Qasim, but many other cricketers.

Those individuals will go public over the next few weeks, on their own terms, in their own time and with the full facts. There will be no further comment until then.”

END OF STATEMENT