Heather Knight fined for old photograph violating racist and discriminatory guidelines

England's Heather Knight has been handed a £1000 fine for a blackface photograph of her taken via a third party at a cricket club in Kent in 2012. The skipper's conduct was deemed under “racist and discriminatory conduct”. 

At the time, Directive 3.3 of the England and Wales Cricket Board stated “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”, something which was violated. 

A much more matured 33-year-old Knight recently came out and spoke on the same, and very frankly admitted to the grave nature of her actions. She seemed to have turned a new leave as she spoke about how important themes of diversity and inclusion are in the arena of cricket.

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“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. 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,” Knight said in a statement released via the ECB.

I hope this will continue throughout her time in the sport: Dave Lewis

The interim director of the governing body which levied the sanction on Knight, Dave Lewis, also spoke on the same topics as mentioned above. He noted that while the offence was one which deserved to be imposed a punishment on, the Cricket Discipline Commission have arrived at a fair decision considering Knight's age back then, contributing to her having made such a naive decision.

“Cricket is working to become a more inclusive sport, and the Cricket Regulator is committed to acting positively and impartially whenever racist behaviour is reported to us. In this case, Ms. Knight's behaviour was discriminatory and offensive, however the Cricket Discipline Commission accepted there was no racist intent in her conduct. I welcome her acknowledgment of the potential impact of her behaviour, and her unreserved apology,” mentioned Lewis, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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“In determining its sanction, the CDC also considered that the offence happened 12 years ago, that she was 21 at the time, and that she had received little education on such matters. There was significant testimony about the positive role model she has been, her voluntary work, and the positive influence she has had on players from different ethnicities and backgrounds. I hope this will continue throughout her time in the sport,” added Lewis.