Second historic racism allegation emerges at Essex

Chief executive John Stephenson has said the club has a "zero-tolerance policy towards racism"

Essex chief executive John Stephenson has revealed a second historic racism allegation has emerged at the club, this time involving a former player and dating back to 2001.

The announcement comes just 24 hours after club chair, John Faragher, resigned from his position following an allegation of racist language used by him at a board meeting in 2017. Faragher denies the allegation but stepped down following a board meeting.

Stephenson did not go into detail about the second allegation but did reiterate the club’s 'zero-tolerance policy towards racism.'

"I am extremely shocked and saddened to hear of historic racial allegations involving a former player, dating back to 2001. There is absolutely no place for discrimination of any kind at Essex County Cricket Club and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards racism," he said in a statement on November 13.

"I immediately reached out to the former player to offer him my and Essex CCC’s full support and to encourage him to come forward and talk to myself and the club about his experiences. We will put the right care in place for him and we applaud his bravery and courage for speaking out on such a sensitive issue after all these years.

"As chief executive, I am committed to upholding the club’s multicultural and diverse values. All allegations, regardless of when they took place, will be investigated thoroughly and urgently. We are working with the ECB to assist us with these investigations. There has never been a place, nor will there ever be a place, for any kind of prejudice at Essex CCC."

John Faragher resigns as Essex chair following racist language allegation

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