Cricketer Jack Brooks has been reprimanded by his club and ordered to undergo diversity training after old nine-year-old tweets where he called two friends ‘n**ro’ emerged.
Somerset announced the punishment for the fast bowler after he apologised to England star Tymal Mills and Stewart Laudat, 50, who played minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire, for addressing them both as ‘n**ro’ in 2012 when he was a Northamptonshire player.
As MPs warned England and Wales Cricket Board against racism in their sport, the news came as they were about to release the following statement.
The warning comes after former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq made a series of allegations that implicated a handful of high-profile former England players and other cricketers during an appearance in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee this week.
Mr Rafiq brought up Brooks specifically, revealing that he had referred to India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara as ‘Steve’ as he didn’t want to say his first name.
Brooks, 37, has apologised both privately and publicly to Mr Pujara.
Somerset has reprimanded Jack Brooks and ordered him to complete diversity training
Brooks addressed Tymal Mills and Stewart Laudat as ‘n***o’ in tweets nine years ago
A statement was released by Sportsmail,Brooks stated that Brooks acknowledged the unacceptable language used in his 2012 tweets and deeply regretted using it. For any offense caused by these tweets, I sincerely apologise.
“The tweets were sent to two friends, and I did not intend to offend them or any other person who saw them.
“It was my understanding that no one was offended at that time. However, I recognize that language matters and that some words I used might have offended others.
‘I reject discrimination of all kinds and should not have used discriminatory terminology, regardless of its intent or context. Sincere apologies for any offense.
“With reference in Azeem Rasiq’s Statement to MPs this Week, the use the name Steve to describe some people whose names are difficult to pronounce.
“When it was done in the past, in a dressing-room environment, it is common to use nicknames regardless of race or creed.
“I have admitted to using it in that context, and I now recognize it as disrespectful and illegal. Cheteshwar has received my apology and I am reaching out to him.
Somerset announced the punishment for the fast bowler after he apologised to England star Tymal Mills (pictured) and Stewart Laudat, 50, who played minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire, for addressing them both as ‘n***o’ in 2012
Brooks apologized to India cricketer Cheteshwar pujara and called him Steve, after Azeem Raffiq (above), had cited that practice in a series of racism claims.
“At that time I did not recognize it as racist behavior, but now I understand why.”
He ended by saying, “I will ensure my actions and words are never again in doubt like this.”
“I would like to make it clear that I am truly sorry for any offense or upset caused by my actions. I’m truly sorry.
Mills posted a tweet in response to an England Lions tour that Mills took part in in February 2012. Top work lads.’
Brooks, who was tagged in the Twitter post along with Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales and Nathan Buck, replied: ‘Cheers N***O! #brother’.
A month earlier, Brooks had responded to a congratulatory message from Laudat – ‘Great work Brooksy’, after he took three wickets in a Lions win over Bangladesh A – with a similar response: ‘Cheers n***o!’
Laudat, who was caught up in the investigation, took to Twitter to express concern about Thursday’s historical tweet.
“But, without context, misunderstandings and misunderstandings can easily be made. This tweet makes me upset because Jack’s character has been questioned for years. I have known Jack since childhood and never felt uncomfortable during any of our conversations.
Jack is a friend I consider a true friend. He’s also a credit to his family.
Laudat, who was being investigated for the probe on Thursday morning, took to Twitter and wrote about it.
Discussing the racism storm that has gripped cricket in recent days, Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said Azeem Rafiq’s testimony to MPs was ‘harrowing’ and ‘difficult to hear’.
All political parties were horrified and angry at the testimony by Mr Rafiq about the inhumane treatment that he received at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The government has pledged to’step into’ if Yorkshire or the ECB do not take’real actions’ to address the crisis of racism.
Julian Knight, Conservative MP and chair of the select committee of the Commons asked the minister to confirm his surprise that the former chairman of Yorkshire had not read the Fletcher seminal report on the absence of inclusion at the county.
He continued: “Does he concur with me that Mr Rafiq’s courageous testimony in this House needs not to be just to clean out the Augean stables, Yorkshire, but also to make sure the institution-racist blocking of talent from minority communities is ended forever?”
“We are in dire need of a kick it out to cricket.
Huddleston replied that “The Fletcher investigation, which is quite old was not clearly acted upon. But it should have been.”
He stated that he had spoken openly with the ECB, and all those involved in cricket during the previous weeks. They have assured me that they are serious about the matter and will take action.
“[ECB chief executive] Tom Harrison promises me that he will do everything in his power to make this happen.
“We will judge them based on their deeds, not their words. And if they don’t act properly we won’t hesitate to take action.”
Labour shadow culture minister Alison McCGovern stated that those who fail to address racism in sport cultures will not only ruin our reputation but also damage it.
McGovern addressed Mr Rafiq’s claims and said, “I want to briefly return to cricket. I believe the lesson for all sports is that people who fail to address cultures of racism or prejudice will destroy our country’s image, not create it.”
“I am aware that Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, and me, as well as all ministers and shadow-ministers present in this House, were deeply affected by Azeem Rafiq’s speech, but it is actions, and not words that make a difference, said minister.
“That also applies to the government.
“Can I ask the minister to place any correspondence he had with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the Commons Library? Can he also tell us what conversations he had about the powers and resources of these bodies and whether it is sufficient for dealing with chronic problems in sports that we have long known are there?”
Huddleston responded: “I will place all documents appropriate to the situation, but I can’t promise that every discussion or document will be placed. She knows that confidentiality and open discussions may prevent us from placing every correspondence.
Brooks joined Yorkshire in 2012, and won two County Championship titles at Headingley. He then left for Somerset to pursue other opportunities. Brooks also apologized to his former teammates Rafiq Rashid, Adil Rashid, and Moin Ashraf, for any offense he might have done during their playing days.
His statement included the following: “I have tried to act in harmony with others and have worked to improve my understanding and skills.”
“This is due to the diversity training I received this year.