The ECB have suspended an employee pending the result of an internal investigation into allegations that he used a racist slur during a club cricket game against a player of Pakistani heritage, according to a report in The Times.

The alleged abuse took place during a South Yorkshire Cricket League fixture between Oughtibridge CC and Whiston Parish Church CC on August 23. The ECB employee in question, who was playing for Whiston Parish Church first XI, is alleged to have directed the offensive term ‘P***’ towards an opponent.

Oughtibridge refused to play the rest of the game, and the fixture was abandoned. Whiston Parish Church were awarded all four points for the fixture, and the return clash between the sides was cancelled. Whiston Parish Church finished ahead of Oughtibridge in the table by two points.

The ECB employee, according to The Times, is a regional development officer, responsible for boosting participation at the grassroots level, and strongly denies using racist language.

The South Yorkshire Cricket League’s committee will also hold a disciplinary hearing, with the outcome of the ECB’s investigation to follow the conclusion of that meeting.

An ECB spokesman told The Times: “We are aware of an incident involving an ECB employee during this match and have already instigated a formal internal investigation. An individual has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. The ECB has a zero-tolerance approach towards acts of racism, racist behaviour, or discrimination of any kind.”

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