Ahead of the publication of a study on racism in sport, Cricket Scotland's entire board of directors resigned on Sunday with immediate effect.
In response to many charges of racism and prejudice made by players Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh last year, the board issued a letter of resignation to interim CEO Gordan Arthur on Sunday morning before the report was to be released on Monday.
"We gave the review our full support when it was announced last year that it would examine racism in Scottish cricket. The evaluation has received an unprecedented level of participation, and we think it will have a profound impact not only on Cricket Scotland and the game of cricket but also on Scottish society as a whole."
"The Board has given their best to fully adopting the review's recommendations in order to make cricket in Scotland a truly welcome and inclusive environment for all. We have all publicly apologised and expressed our sincere regret to anyone who has faced racism or other forms of prejudice while playing cricket in Scotland."
"Since the start of the year, the Board has also taken significant first efforts to enhance Cricket Scotland's leadership and governance. Without a question, this is the beginning of yet another difficult path to revamp and modernise the sport's governance to ensure its sustained success in the years to come "The Board released a statement.
Haq, Scotland's all-time leading wicket-taker, said in November of last year that Cricket Scotland was "institutionally racist," and his former teammate Qasim Sheikh said he had also seen such remarks. Their attorney, Aamer Anwar, told Sky that the news may be "devastating" for Cricket Scotland.
"For a small organisation like Cricket Scotland, these two work programs—one to provide a thorough, just, and quick resolution to the racism-related issues identified, and the other to revamp and modernise the sport's governance—represent enormous hurdles on their own. We recognise the tremendous assistance that sportscotland has provided thus far and are certain that they will continue to collaborate with us to ensure rapid advancement in the future."
But even though the Board hasn't seen the review report, it is now aware of the suggested timelines and several compulsory measures that are included in the study, which, in its opinion, make it impossible to deliver these two programmes within the suggested timeline and the current governance framework.
"As a result, we think it's time for us to stand down so that the necessary advancement may be made in the upcoming months. We wish Cricket Scotland every success and hope that after this review implementation period, the game of cricket will be in a new, improved, and genuinely friendly environment that will allow it to thrive at every level in the years to come "The Board's statement came to an end.
In response to the board's mass resignation, a Cricket Scotland representative said, "With immediate effect, Cricket Scotland will collaborate with Sportscotland to make sure the organisation and the sport have the proper governance, leadership, and support going forward. After the study on racism in Scottish cricket is published, these arrangements will be reevaluated, and changes will be provided as necessary."