Heather Knight Fined for 2012 Blackface Photo

England women’s cricket captain Heather Knight has been fined 1000 Great Britain Pounds by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) for a 2012 photo in blackface, deemed as ‘racist and discriminatory conduct’.

The photo was taken at a sports stars themed fancy dress party in 2012, breaching the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) directive 3.3, which prohibits conduct prejudicial to the interests of cricket.

Knight, who was 21 at the time, accepted the charges and apologized, stating, ‘I am 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.’

She added, ‘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.’

The CDC acknowledged her lack of intent to be racist but emphasized that the conduct was ‘plainly prejudicial to the interests of cricket, brought the game and Ms Knight into disrepute, and undermined the ECB’s strategic objective of eradicating discrimination from the sport.’

This is the first time Knight has been involved in any disciplinary proceeding. Her unpaid ambassadorial work around diversity and inclusion, along with her cooperation and past training in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, were considered in the lenient punishment.

Dave Lewis, interim director of the Cricket Regulator, stated, ‘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 CDC accepted there was no racist intent in her conduct. I welcome her acknowledgement of the potential impact of her behaviour, and her unreserved apology.’

He added, ‘In determining its sanction, the CDC also considered that the offence happened 12 years ago, that Ms Knight was 21 at the time, and that she had received little education on such matters at the time. 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.’