Essex ‘shocked and saddened’ as Zoheb Sharif says he was nicknamed ‘bomber’
Essex chief executive John Stephenson is “extremely shocked and saddened” by allegations the club’s former batter Zoheb Sharif received racist abuse that included being called “bomber” by his team-mates after the September 11 attacks.
Sharif, whose parents were born in Pakistan, played for Essex between 2001 and 2004 and also claims he was called “curry muncher” during his time at the county.
He told the Mirror: “It was a day after the September 11 attacks. People started calling me ‘bomber’. It was normal to be called ‘curry muncher’.
Sharif, now 38, added: “I didn’t say anything at the time. I was a teenager in a dressing room with big characters.
“To them it was banter. To me it wasn’t, but you don’t want to do anything to block your chance of getting into the first team.”
Sharif’s revelations are the latest in the storm engulfing cricket with Yorkshire still dealing with the aftermath of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism at Headingley.
Allegations strongly denied
Stephenson said in a statement: “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.
Club Statement from John Stephenson.
⤵️⤵️⤵️
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) November 13, 2021
“I immediately reached out to the former player to offer him my and Essex County Cricket Club’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.
“There has never been a place, nor will there ever be a place, for any kind of prejudice at Essex County Cricket Club.”
Latest
-
NewsJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
NewsEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
NewsEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
NewsJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
NewsWomen’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
EnglandEngland captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Friday’s first ODI against South Africa.
-
EnglandJofra Archer set to make long-awaited England comeback against South Africa
There were minor alarms when the fast bowler was not seen at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on Thursday.
-
Women's CricketIt’s the right time – England bowler Katherine Brunt retires from county cricket
The 37-year-old will play in this summer’s Hundred but will not feature for the Northern Diamonds or Yorkshire.
-
EnglandEngland stars Ben Stokes and Nat Sciver win ICC cricketer of the year awards
Sciver finished the World Cup as the tournament’s third-highest scorer as England reached the final