A former County Championship coach has been banned for nine months by the independent Cricket Disciplinary Panel (CDP) after being accused of sending inappropriate images and behaviour to a female colleague. The panel did not name the coach, ESPN Cricinfo reported.
According to the information, the allegations against the punished English coach include sending sexually suggestive photos to two female colleagues in 2023 and 2024 and attempting to kiss one in the club’s changing room. The CDP imposed this punishment after admitting five breaches of the code of conduct against him. However, they did not release the name due to the “unusual circumstances and risk of serious harm” to the coach’s health.
The coach was previously dismissed after allegations of behavioral inconsistencies were raised. This time he was given a nine-month ban. However, six months of the ban came into effect early and the remaining three months were suspended for a year after admitting responsibility. At the same time, he expressed remorse and told the independent investigation agency to undergo corrective education.
The tribunal was told that the accused coach had ‘sent inappropriate and sexually explicit messages’ to one of the victims. When the victim expressed annoyance, he stopped it, but a few days later he sent the same offensive messages again. Another victim was much younger than the coach and was obliged to communicate with him for professional reasons. She was also sent obscene images, but she did not respond. Later, the accused coach asked her to clean the changing room and at that time made a ‘forceful attempt to kiss’. At that time, the young victim controlled herself and backed away.
The CDP said that although the accused coach was not in a position of direct responsibility, there was a clear power imbalance with the victims due to his age and position. Chris Howard, the managing director of the Cricket Regulator, called such actions “unacceptable”. At the same time, he praised the victims for coming forward and protesting.
The disciplinary tribunal hopes that he (the accused coach) will now become a better person. He will also now have a better understanding of the boundaries of the workplace, the misuse of social media and sexual harassment. He has already made some changes and has also undergone counselling for a long time.
FAQ
Who is the coach involved in the misconduct case?
The coach’s name has not been publicly disclosed due to concerns over “unusual circumstances and risk of serious harm” to his health.
What misconduct was the coach accused of?
The coach was accused of sending sexually suggestive messages and inappropriate images to two female colleagues and attempting to kiss one in a club changing room.
What disciplinary action was taken?
The Cricket Disciplinary Panel imposed a nine-month ban, with six months already served. The remaining three months are suspended for one year.
Did the coach accept responsibility for his actions?
Yes, he admitted to five breaches of the code of conduct, expressed remorse, and agreed to undergo corrective training and counselling.
