England women’s captain Heather Knight fined over ‘blackface’ photo

England captain Heather Knight. Photo / Photosport

England women’s captain Heather Knight has been reprimanded after historical photograph of her in “blackface” appeared on social media.

Knight, set to lead England at next month’s T20 World Cup, says she is “truly sorry” for conduct that was deemed “racist and discriminatory” by Cricket Discipline Commission adjudicator Tim O’Gorman.

However, O’Gorman accepted there was no racist or discriminatory intent by Knight, who was 21 when the image was taken at sports-themed fancy dress party at a cricket club in Kent in 2012.

Knight, whose £1000 ($2127) fine has been suspended for two years, has been a WBBL regular, playing several seasons for both for Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder.

The 33-year-old said in a statement: “I’m truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong and I have long regretted it.

“Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.

“Whilst I can’t change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring underrepresented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have.”

“Blackface” is the practice of performers, mostly white, dressing up to imitate caricatures of black people. A common feature of popular culture in the 19th and 20th centuries it is now widely regarded as offensive and racist.

Her punishment takes into account that the photograph appeared on another person’s Facebook account, she showed remorse and apologised when it emerged, had at the time not received education on the issues involved, and her work to promote diversity and inclusion.

O’Gorman’s judgment said: “At a ‘sports stars’ themed party in 2012, Ms Knight appeared in a photo in fancy dress with blackface. This, I find, was racist and discriminatory conduct.

“[But] I find and accept that there was no racist or discriminatory intent in the blackface itself.

“It is accepted that Ms Knight did not herself post the photograph on any social media platform, has no power to delete the photo and has no power to control how it has been posted [or might be posted in future].

“I consider that it is inappropriate and unnecessary to require a further apology.”