Ollie Robinson given ban over historical tweets but free to return to playing

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England and Sussex bowler Ollie Robinson is free to resume playing cricket after being deemed to have served his suspension following an investigation into historical racist and sexist tweets.

The Cricket Discipline Commission announced he has been handed an eight-match ban, five of which are suspended for two years, for “a number of offensive tweets” between 2012 and 2014.

However, the panel has taken into account Robinson’s suspension from the England team and two Vitality Blast matches, leaving Robinson free to play immediately, although he was also fined GBP 3,200.

The 27-year-old had admitted breaching two ECB directives in relation to a number of offensive tweets posted when he was aged between 18 and 20.

The tweets came to light on June 2, the opening day of Robinson’s first Test match for England.

Robinson had withdrawn himself from selection for Sussex following the suspension imposed by the England team for the second Test against New Zealand.

According to a statement, the panel considered significant mitigation, including the time that had elapsed since the tweets were posted, and a number of personal references to show how Robinson is a different person now than when the tweets were sent.

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