Essex promise racism report in September as Jahid Ahmed says delays have left him "hurt"

GEORGE DOBELL: Essex chief executive John Stephenson admits he is frustrated by the time it has taken to produce a report into racism allegations. But he is adamant the delays have been necessary to ensure the report is thorough

Chief executive John Stephenson has insisted Essex have no intention of brushing allegations of racism at the club "under the carpet".

Stephenson admits he is frustrated by the amount of time it has taken to produce a report into allegations which came to light at the end of last year. But he is adamant the delays have been necessary to ensure the report is thorough, and is confident it will be completed in early September.

Stephenson was responding to comments made by Jahid Ahmed. Jahid, a former seam bowler at the club, told The Cricketer in November that he had been referred to as a "curry muncher" and "terrorist" during his time at the club. He also said Essex felt like "a white man's world where brown people were outsiders".

But while Essex's immediate response was impressive – Stephenson immediately contacted Jahid and promised a full investigation – Jahid and Maurice Chambers, who also reported allegations of racism during his time at the club, have heard little more since.

One of the few moments of contact Jahid has had with former teammates came when one of them urged him not to come forward; an episode he refers to now as "disturbing".

Jahid now says that this lack of action has left him feeling "hurt".

^{Jahid Ahmed has made allegations about historical incidents of racism at Essex [Getty Images]}

"It's been seven or eight months now since I have heard anything from Essex CCC and the ECB regarding an investigation," Jahid told The Cricketer. "I am very concerned about what actions have been taken or if Essex and the ECB are investigating properly. My concern is that they will try to brush this case under the carpet and move on from it.

"Since I have come out and spoken about racism, I have had no support from Essex or to see how I am getting on. I had one phone call from John Stephenson on the day it was published, otherwise nothing. I contacted the ECB to get an update but heard nothing.

"An ex-player contacted me as soon as he heard I was going to come out and speak about the racism that I faced during my time at Essex. I was told not to speak about it and not to mention names. I found it very disturbing.

"The player I felt bullied by the most [not the same individual who called Jahid to urge him not to mention names] is still involved in the game. It is outrageous how someone can go on about their daily life without any consequences.

"I've spent the best years of my cricketing life as a servant to Essex but saw very little in return for my services. In fact, I was met with resentment. The hurt is astounding."

Essex announced an "independent enquiry" into the allegations of racism at the club in November 2021. While no date was set for completion, they did say at the time that "the findings will be presented to the club in the new year". As things stand, however, there has been no published report or disciplinary action taken.

In the meantime, the club pleaded guilty to an ECB charge of bringing the game into disrepute after an allegation emerged that their former chair used a racist term and that it had not been properly investigated at the time. The chair in question, John Faragher, resigned but protested his innocence.

"It is incredibly frustrating," Stephenson admitted. "There is a perception that nothing has been done and I do get that. I had hoped that the report would be finished months ago.

"Put simply, it takes longer than we thought. But that is because we are trying to do everything thoroughly. We have no power over the individuals who have had complaints made about them – some of them left the game many years ago – and that stalls the whole process.

^{Essex say a report into allegations of racism will be finalised in September [Getty Images]}

"Jahid is right to challenge us. But I can assure him and everyone else that we are not sweeping anything under the carpet and we want to ensure there will never be any repetition of this behaviour at Essex. The only thing that has changed is our timelines."

Amjad Khan, the former England fast bowler who now works as a barrister, is representing both Jahid and Maurice Chambers on a pro-bono basis. He suggested it was time for "actions and not only words" from the game's authorities and urged the game to understand the "emotional toll" the unresolved investigations had on those who had shared their experiences.

"Jahid's case is unfortunately not isolated; this is well documented," he told The Cricketer.

"As a trusted advisor for players who have faced discrimination and are coming forward, I am deeply saddened and especially concerned about the material and emotional toll this particular case has had on Jahid.

"It's admirable that there is an ongoing attempt to clean up our beloved game. I am however worried that the human being - the victim - is being forgotten and neglected.

"Perhaps it is time for actions and not only words from relevant authorities and clubs that not only repair our game, but help players feel that the game has not forgotten about them."