English county side Essex fined after racism probe

English county side Essex have been fined £100,000 ($131,000) after admitting a failure to address "systemic" racist language and conduct at the cricket club between 2001 and 2010.

Half of Essex's fine is suspended for two years, and the county have also been cautioned over their future conduct after being reprimanded by the Cricket Regulator (CR).

The CR panel said the length of time covered by the charge and the systemic use of racist and discriminatory language suggested a culture that was "embedded" across most levels of the club.

The panel added: "This conduct continued without meaningful challenge from either Essex's management or other senior playing members of the club even when it was brought to their attention."

The panel accepted in mitigation Essex's early admission of the charge and the punishments handed to individuals arising from the separate independent review commissioned by the club.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)'s own investigation had been prompted by allegations of racism made by former players Jahid Ali, Maurice Chambers and Zoheb Sharif.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said: "Racism has no place in our sport. I'm appalled by what those who experienced racism at Essex have been through, and the way this behaviour could become normalised.

"It is vital that as a sport we listen and learn from their experiences and ensure that no one suffers like that again.

"I welcome the action Essex has taken in recent years to address these issues and become a more inclusive club, and the commitment it has shown to make further progress."