Racism should be treated as seriously as doping and match-fixing: Holder

Jason Holder
Wes Indies Test captain Jason Holder. File photo: AFP

Manchester: West Indies captain Jason Holder wants racism to be treated as seriously as doping and match-fixing in cricket, the 28-year-old has said.

Then Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was slapped with a four-match ban last year for a racist remark aimed at South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.

Earlier this month, former West Indies captains Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle said they have experienced racist abuse and threw their weight behind the Black Lives Matters campaign.

"I don't think the penalty for doping or corruption should be any different for racism," Holder told BBC Sport.

Darren Sammy
Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy. File photo: AFP

"If we've got issues within our sport, we must deal with them equally."

Under the anti-racism code of the governing International Cricket Council (ICC), a third breach of the code by a player could lead to a life ban.

The sanction for a first offence by a player can be up to a ban for four Tests or eight limited-overs matches.

Holder said teams should be briefed about race issues before the start of any series.

"In addition to having anti-doping briefings and anti-corruption briefings, maybe we should have an anti-racism feature before we start a series," the all-rounder said.

"My message is more education needs to go around it.

"I've not experienced any racial abuse first hand but have heard or seen a few things around it. It's something you just can't stand for."

England will consider a joint anti-racism protest with West Indies during the three-Test series between the sides next month.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.