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| January 18, 2003 | Saturday | Ziqa'ad 14, 1423 |
Yorkshire urged to sack ‘racist’ Lehmann
LONDON, Jan 17: Yorkshire have been urged to terminate Darren Lehmann’s contract if he is found guilty on charges of racially abusing Sri Lankan opponents.
But the English county have signalled that they will stand by the Australian batsman and denied that he is a racist.
Lehmann is facing a ban of up to eight international matches for abusing the Sri Lankans following his run-out in Wednesday’s one-day international in Brisbane.
He subsequently apologised for an outburst in the changing rooms but cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to pursue charges against him.
If Lehmann is found guilty at a hearing in Adelaide on Saturday it will put Yorkshire in a difficult position.
The county has been the subject of repeated criticism over its failure to recruit players from among the large cricket-loving Asian community living in Yorkshire.
Activists have already identified the Lehmann issue as a benchmark of the county’s commitment to improving relations with minority groups.
“If he is found guilty, Yorkshire will surely have to terminate his contract,” said Taj Butt, an anti-racism campaigner who also chairs England’s biggest Asian cricket league.
“How they handle this matter will be watched very closely not only by the Asian community but by all ethnic groups in Yorkshire.
“Their reaction will determine how they are reviewed in terms of racism for years to come.
“If they sweep this under the carpet, they will alienate every non-white cricket supporter in the area and all fair-minded white fans.”
Butt’s comments were echoed by an editorial in Britain’s biggest-selling tabloid, The Sun, which said “racist foul-mouth” Lehmann should be banned from cricket for life.
“His conduct also sullies the white rose of Yorkshire and the club must kick him out immediately,” the paper said in an editorial.
But Yorkshire’s chief executive Colin Graves said he was disappointed with the ICC’s decision and claimed Lehmann was only giving vent to his frustration at being dismissed.
“The guy has apologised,” he told The Guardian. “He’s been run out and said something in the heat of the moment. We’ve all done it.”
The county supremo made it clear he had no intention of ending Yorkshire’s relationship with Lehmann. “We don’t hold anything against him. We just want it to be sorted out quickly.”
Lehmann has played for Yorkshire for the last five English summers and the county are keen to retain him for the upcoming season. His availability depends on whether he is picked for Australia’s tour of the West Indies after the World Cup.—AFP
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