Former Asian Muslim Essex cricket participant claims he confronted racism at county membership

An ex-Essex County Cricket Membership participant of Bangladeshi descent, Jahid Ahmed, has claimed he skilled racial abuse and Islamophobic stereotyping from his former teammates all the way through his tenure on the membership.

Ahmed alleged that he was once requested through his teammates if he was once “going to bomb” the membership. He additionally published that he was once mocked through a senior trainer who placed on an “exaggerated Asian accessory”.  Previous, Zoheb Sharif from the similar membership got here ahead alleging that he was once referred to as a “bomber” through his teammates.

Ahmed stated he was once in “a white guy’s international the place brown folks had been outsiders”.

Speaking to The Cricketer, Ahmed stated: “We had a senior trainer who I felt bullied me. I noticed sure elements in his behaviour which I felt had been discriminatory.

“So now and again younger avid gamers entering the surroundings would attempt to have compatibility in through becoming a member of in with that kind of chat. I used to be within the dressing room with 3 avid gamers and a trainer.

“Some of the guys was once more youthful than me. He was once new to the crew. However he felt the way in which to slot in was once to pick out at the Muslim. So he saved announcing such things as: ‘Would you bomb us?’ And have you learnt what? He was once roughly proper as a result of the ones different avid gamers and the trainer laughed and he was once noticed as an excellent lad.

“On a daily basis I might come into the membership and check out to steer clear of their consideration. However I dreaded it. I used to be all the time fearing what they’d get a hold of. It made it extremely exhausting to pay attention to my cricket. I used to be simply looking to steer clear of the bullying.

“I sought after to modify my voice. I attempted to deepen it. I in reality sought after to slot in. However there have been occasions when just about everybody within the dressing room joined within the laughter at my expense. It was once principally: ‘you’re a Muslim; you’re a terrorist.’ In some other incident, a senior participant advised me I used to be a ‘curry muncher’ and stated I ‘stank of curry’. It was once bullying. And it went on on a daily basis till I ended taking part in.

“I felt like an intruder always I used to be at Chelmsford. I by no means felt like I fitted in. It was once a white guy’s international the place brown folks had been outsiders.”

He additionally highlighted a few of his former teammates like Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Ryan ten Doeschate, Darren Gough, and James Foster who had been supportive.

Ahmed stated: “I by no means drank alcohol and wouldn’t say I felt pressurised to take action. I knew, being a Muslim, I might fail to notice issues. However I permitted that. There was once an lack of knowledge of the problem, even though. For instance, there was once a crew assembly within the pub all the way through Ramadan. I used to be fasting and I in reality didn’t wish to move. However they insisted.

“Why didn’t I say the rest on the time? I didn’t have the balls, I suppose. I didn’t really feel I had a voice to lift. This is the reason what Azeem Rafiq has achieved is so vital. It opened our eyes. It impressed us. What he has achieved is so vital which explains I’m chatting with you presently. We’ve allowed this stuff to head on too lengthy. It has to prevent now.”

John Stephenson, Essex leader government, stated in a remark: “I’m disheartened to be told of those new ancient racial allegations from a former participant about a number of of his ex-teammates and a prior member of team of workers.

“I’ve reached out to him to provide him our complete reinforce, and I’m hoping he feels inspired and comfy sufficient to be part of our coming near near investigation. On the finish of ultimate week, we introduced that the membership will probably be operating with Katharine Newton QC to concentrate on those allegations that have just lately come to gentle.

“Ms. Newton specialises in employment and discrimination circumstances and has in style enjoy masking an intensive vary of problems. Having any individual of this stature taking a look into those allegations will permit us to finish an intensive and detailed unbiased investigation.

“All the way through the quick time I’ve been again on the membership we’ve made vital steps and I’m decided to take on this head-on and fortify our recreation for the easier.

“It’s transparent as a recreation there’s numerous paintings to be achieved, however we’re shifting in the appropriate path. The following duration goes to be extraordinarily tricky, particularly for the ones sharing their reports, however in combination, we will be able to pop out the opposite aspect higher for it.

“We satisfaction ourselves on our multicultural and numerous values and we are hoping the result of the investigation will assist us fortify and expand us as folks and as a membership.”

Upload your feedback underneath