England cricketer Ollie Robinson, who debuted in the 1st Test Match against the Kiwis played at Lord yesterday, issued an apology after racist and sexist tweets from his account which he tweeted 8 years ago resurfaced the day he made his Test debut.
The concerted Tweets, tweeted between April 2012 and June 2013, included use of the “N word”, comments suggesting Muslim people were linked with terrorism, and derogatory comments about Asian women. Robinson was aged 18 and 19 at that time.
“On the biggest day of my career so far, I am embarrassed by the racist and sexist tweets that I posted 8 years ago, which have today become public” Robinson said in a statement.
“I deeply regret my actions, and I am ashamed of making such remarks”
“Since that period, I have matured as a person and fully regret the tweets” he went on to say.
The ECB has also informed that it would commence a ‘full investigation’ regarding this matter. While the comments were made several years ago, it is still possible that Robinson could face disciplinary action from the ECB.
“I don’t have words to express how disappointed I am that an England Men’s player has chosen to write tweets of this nature, however long ago that might have been” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said.
Incidentally yesterday, England and New Zealand players took part in a moment of unity by wearing black shirts before play at Lord’s, to stand together against any racism, religious intolerance, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and ageism in cricket.