Third former Essex player claims he suffered racist abuse

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Cricket – Essex CCC Photocall 2007 – Essex CCC – 16/4/07 Jahid Ahmed Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge

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LONDON, November 23 (Reuters) – Another ex-England Essex player has said he suffered racist abuse at the club following allegations by Zoheb Sharif and Maurice Chambers last week.

Jahid Ahmed, who played for Essex from 2005 to 2009, told Cricketer he was bullied by a senior coach and his accent was mocked by players and some coaching staff .

Jahid’s revelations follow similar claims by Chambers and Sharif. Chambers, who played for Essex between 2005 and 2013, said he was so upset by the racist bullying he faced in the county that he would return home and cry after the games. Read more

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“It was a world of white men where browns were strangers,” said Jahid, 35. “I wanted to change my voice. I tried to deepen it. I really wanted to fit in.

“I felt like an outsider the whole time I was at (Essex ground) Chelmsford. I was always afraid of what they were going to come up with and it was incredibly difficult to focus on my cricket.”

Essex, which had already opened an investigation after Chambers’ first complaints, said it has established a reporting channel for anyone who has experienced abuse at the club.

“The allegations are difficult to read and they will be treated and investigated with the utmost seriousness,” said Chief Executive Officer John Stephenson.

“I have contacted him (Jahid) to offer him our full support, and I hope he feels encouraged and comfortable enough to be part of our impending investigation.

“It is clear that as a sport there is a lot of work to be done, but we are moving in the right direction.

“The next period is going to be extremely difficult, especially for those who share their experiences, but together we will do better on the other side.”

The issue of racism in English cricket was brought to light by allegations of racism that another former county player, Azeem Rafiq, was playing for Yorkshire, resulting in an exodus of sponsors and the resignation of several top executives . Read more

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Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Ken Ferris

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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