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Heather Knight, the England women’s team captain, has admitted to a racism charge against her for a photo of herself in blackface posted on social media in 2012, which was taken by a third party when she was 21 years of age. With that, the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) in England have reprimanded Heather Knight along with handing a £1000 suspended fine for her actions, which were deemed as racist and discriminatory conduct.
Notably, the blackface photo of Heather Knight was taken by someone else during an end-of-season fancy dress party, themed “sports stars,” at a cricket club in Kent in 2012. After the English cricketer accepted the racism charge, she was remorseful and apologetic for her conduct, while it was accepted that she didn’t post the photo on social media along with holding no power to delete it altogether.
I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong, and I have long regretted it: Heather Knight
According to the report from ESPNcricinfo, Heather Knight breached ECB directive 3.3, which read at the time, “No such person may conduct himself in a manner or do any act or omission which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.”
In her statement with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after accepting the racism charge, Heather Knight spoke about how she is “truly sorry” for it before stating that she regretted it. The England women’s captain was quoted as saying, “I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong, and I have long regretted it. Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.”
Heather Knight also talked about how she can’t change the past, but at the same time, she can help the sport to become more inclusive with her voice. She said, “Whilst I can't change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring under-represented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have.”
Moreover, Heather Knight, who is currently on a training camp with England women in Abu Dhabi since September 13, will be captaining the national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in UAE next month.
