[VIDEO] Middlesex chairman Mike O’Farrell blasted over claims about Asian and Black communities

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The Middlesex County Cricket Club chair made the remarks as he gave evidence in front of the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee in the House of Commons. Mr O'Farrell claimed Black and Asian communities in Britain are not as interested in cricket as other groups across the UK. The comments sparked outrage on social media, with people questioning why his claims went unchallenged.

Guardian Sports reporter Barney Ronay said: "Oh no. Middlesex chairman has just done the 'black people don't like cricket, they like football' thing in front of DCMS.

"Unchallenged. Followed it up with 'Asian people are too interested in academia'.

"Literally saying this right now live in front of the entire world."

Mr O'Farrell said "they prefer to go into other educational fields and cricket becomes secondary because it's a rather more time-consuming sport than others..." as he discussed support for cricket among Black and Asian communties.

He said: "The other thing in the diversity bit is that in the football and rugby worlds become much more attractive to the Afro-Caribbean community.

"And in terms of the South Asian community, there's a moment where we're finding they do not want necessarily to commit the same time that is necessary to go to the next step because they prefer – I'm not saying they always do it, they sometimes prefer – to go into other educational fields and then cricket becomes secondary.

"And part of that is because it is rather more time-consuming sport than some others.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1...ike-O-Farell-racism-in-sport-hearing-video-vn

 

[MenInG]

Middlesex chairman Mike O’Farrell has been accused of stereotyping after claiming that black people are likely to prefer football over cricket, while Asians prioritise academia.

O’Farrell, who later issued a separate apology, was one of a number of county chairmen called before a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee set up in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal on Tuesday.

Rafiq and England legend Ebony Rainford-Brent were among those to criticise his comments, the former claiming they highlight the “endemic problem” facing the sport in this country.

O’Farrell and his counterparts had been summoned to discuss the ways in which their counties are working to boost diversity and was asked about the idea that Middlesex are underachieving on that front given their base in one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities.

“Fifty seven per cent of the players we have at under-17 come from culturally diverse backgrounds,” he said. “As we move up the chain, particularly as we get to the academy, we then find it becomes more difficult for several reasons.

“The football and rugby world becomes much more attractive to the Afro-Caribbean community, and in terms of the South Asian community there’s a moment where we’re finding that they do not want to commit necessarily the same time that is necessary to go to the next step because they prefer - not always saying they do it - they prefer to go into other educational fields where cricket becomes secondary.”

Rafiq’s testimony on the racist abuse he experienced whilst a player at Yorkshire sent the game into crisis, prompting major changes at the county and the implementation of a 12-point plan to tackle discrimination by the ECB.

Reacting to O’Farrell’s comments on Twitter, Rafiq wrote: “This has just confirmed what a endemic problem the game has. I actually can’t believe what I am listening to.”

Rainford-Brent was the first black woman to play cricket for England and she now acts as a director at Surrey and chair of the ACE Programme charity which aims to support diverse talent.

“Honestly these outdated views in the game are exactly why we are in this position,” she added on Twitter.

“Unfortunately the decision-makers hold onto these myths. ‘The Black community only like football, and Asian community only interested in education’ Seriously the game deserves better.”

In statement released later on Tuesday afternoon, O’Farrell offered a “wholehearted apology”.

“I wholly accept that this misunderstanding is entirely down to my own lack of clarity and context in the answers I provided, and I am devastated that my comments have led to the conclusions some have made,” the statement read.

“For the purposes of clarification, I was aiming to make the point that as a game, cricket has failed a generation of young cricketers, in systematically failing to provide them with the same opportunities that other sports and sectors so successfully provide.

“I speak on behalf of the entire Club in saying that our desire is to see a first eleven walking out to play for the Club which is truly reflective of the broadly diverse county that Middlesex is today and that we will do all within our power to make that happen.”

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/cr...an-black-people-football-cricket-b978700.html

 

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STATEMENT FROM MIDDLESEX CHAIR MIKE O’FARRELL

Further to this morning’s DCMS Select Committee hearing, at which the Club’s Chair, Mike O’Farrell, appeared as a witness, he has issued the following personal statement:

“First and foremost, I wish to offer my wholehearted apologies for the misunderstanding that my comments made at this morning’s DCMS Select Committee hearing have evidently caused.

“I wholly accept that this misunderstanding is entirely down to my own lack of clarity and context in the answers I provided, and I am devastated that my comments have led to the conclusions some have made.

“For the purposes of clarification, I was aiming to make the point that as a game, cricket has failed a generation of young cricketers, in systematically failing to provide them with the same opportunities that other sports and sectors so successfully provide.

“Cricket has to take responsibility for these failings and must learn that until we make the game an attractive proposition for youngsters of all backgrounds to continue through the pathway into the professional game, much like other sports and sectors are doing, the game won’t make the progress it needs to.

“We at Middlesex are no different. We have an Academy side that contains in excess of 60% British born Asian and Black young cricketers, and we must take responsibility for ensuring that the route into the professional game is as accessible and appealing as other sports or opportunities.

“I speak on behalf of the entire Club in saying that our desire is to see a first eleven walking out to play for the Club which is truly reflective of the broadly diverse county that Middlesex is today and that we will do all within our power to make that happen.

“Once again I apologise for any upset or hurt my earlier comments may have caused, that was most definitely not my intention.”


https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2022/01/statement-from-middlesex-chair-mike-ofarrell

 

[Rana]

So that explains why plenty of South Asian cricketers are not preferred over whites, because the selectors think they must be prioritising academia, even though they are training as much as the white kids lol

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is what happens when you allow dinosaurs to overstay their welcome.

 

[krazystrong]

Isn't he right though? From what I see more people in England prefer football to cricket, which includes black people.

 

[Bewal Express]

As far as young black people are concerned, it's def true.

 

[Saj]

Patronising and stereotypical attitude you see too often from people involved in English cricket at all levels.

Nothing will change!

 

[GLORY OF '92]

100% correct of course. Won't stop the moaning though. Asian community needs to toughen up a bit. 60 years in the UK should definitely be more entrenched in all systems and organisations.

 

[Bewal Express]

Young Black men went away from cricket in the late 80s. This is reflected in participation figures and general interest interest in cricket from this demographic. He is wrong on Asian kids, the interest is strong and along with private school kids, it's the only demographic that still has an interest in cricket. The decline in white state kids interest cricket will have the biggest long term impact on cricket in England.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I think the old man is correct, particularly with regards to black kids, and his comments have been misinterpreted. To me, it sounded like he was saying the game had to change to overcome this, but he said it in a clumsy way that allowed the perenially offended to jump on it.

 

[Ami]

All it shows is the attitude in the higher elms of cricket.
Regardless, of what the afro-caribbean or south asian background people prefer, you cannot be laden with stereotypical views.
Shows lack of diversity, foresight or any inclination to reverse the trend.

 

[Bewal Express]

All it shows is the attitude in the higher elms of cricket.
Regardless, of what the afro-caribbean or south asian background people prefer, you cannot be laden with stereotypical views.
Shows lack of diversity, foresight or any inclination to reverse the trend.

Is he not allowed to state a fact?

 

[Robert]

In the case of black lads and cricket, only the posh schools have cricket fields these days so only posh white and Asian lads are coming through.

But the Yorkie and Lancy Leagues have numerous Asian players who should really be represented in the Counties.

 

[Bewal Express]

In the case of black lads and cricket, only the posh schools have cricket fields these days so only posh white and Asian lads are coming through.

But the Yorkie and Lancy Leagues have numerous Asian players who should really be represented in the Counties.

I think many people are ignoring basic ground realities about the decline of black players in England. The decline in Black players started in the late 80s, to a point where its surprising to see a young black guy in club cricket. Its a real shame but lifestyles and tastes Change over time. The issues with black participation are exactly the same with white working class kids.

 

[shariqnoor]

To be honest, I don't think there is anything terrible in what he said. If what he says can be corroborated by a research study, then his comments are absolutely fine. In today's world, anything you say can literally be twisted in either direction and be blasted by a certain segment of society. A person is always in a lose-lose situation I feel.

This is a well-known fact that parents of South Asian kids prefer their kids to excel in education first and sports comes later. If anybody denies this, then they are living in cuckoo-land. The Middlesex chairman basically said the same thing.

People need to stop over-scrutinizing comments and judge the conversation on a holistic basis.

 

[wrongun]

If he believes that, it would be interesting to hear what he had done, during his time ad Middlesex, to reach out to communities which had turned away from the game? (afro-caribbean)

Or to provide pathways, support or reassurance to enable or encourage those young players interested in pursuing studies and cricket- tutors, flexibility during exams, partnerships with universities in the area etc?

Otherwise it's just a convenient excuse to ignore those communities. He's in a leadership position, what has he done about it?

 

[Bewal Express]

If he believes that, it would be interesting to hear what he had done, during his time ad Middlesex, to reach out to communities which had turned away from the game? (afro-caribbean)

Or to provide pathways, support or reassurance to enable or encourage those young players interested in pursuing studies and cricket- tutors, flexibility during exams, partnerships with universities in the area etc?

Otherwise it's just a convenient excuse to ignore those communities. He's in a leadership position, what has he done about it?

I have seen these initiatives about reaching out and they are just PR stunts. Kids play cricket because their parents play, not because a plastic bats and balls are taken to a school with the local newspaper photographer on hand to document it.

 

[Zaz]

These are just the same old stereotypical racism passing off as justification why minorities are underrepresented

The interest in the south asian community in uk cricket is strong very strong Theres thousands playing every club cricket on weekends up and down thr country

They just dont get the same opportunities further up the ladder as their white counterparts

 

[gazza619]

The old man has lost his marbles. What utter nonsense!

Talk about being politely racist.

 

[wrongun]

I have seen these initiatives about reaching out and they are just PR stunts. Kids play cricket because their parents play, not because a plastic bats and balls are taken to a school with the local newspaper photographer on hand to document it.

I've seen initiatives work.

There is competition in Oz between AFL & rugby league for players, participation etc. The state I live in used to be rugby league heartland. Far fewer people played or watched AFL.

Within 5-10 years AFL was able to claim a large share of the market here, by spending time & $$$ to get AFL in schools, free coaching clinics, free jerseys & balls etc. Despite not being the game their parents like. It worked.

The program needs to be sustained & meaningful, but they can work. Getting cricket back on free to air tv in Britain & actually working diligently to broaden the game can absolutely work. It's lazy & defeatist to say otherwise.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Getting cricket back on free to air tv in Britain & actually working diligently to broaden the game can absolutely work.

Unfortunately this cannot happen now, even if the county structure is overhauled completely leading to a reduction in distributions to the counties by the ECB, there is no chance English cricket will be profitable without the revenues from pay television.

Moreover, terrestrial television networks have limited appetite for scheduling Test cricket, which is the most lucrative format in any deal, so even if the ECB were willing to accept a discount it won't be possible to return to the old broadcasting model.

The only way forward is for the ECB to keep buying airtime on FTA networks for white ball cricket as that's easier to schedule, which to their credit they have understood.

 

[Robert]

If he believes that, it would be interesting to hear what he had done, during his time ad Middlesex, to reach out to communities which had turned away from the game? (afro-caribbean)

Or to provide pathways, support or reassurance to enable or encourage those young players interested in pursuing studies and cricket- tutors, flexibility during exams, partnerships with universities in the area etc?

Otherwise it's just a convenient excuse to ignore those communities. He's in a leadership position, what has he done about it?

It’s more to do with social class than race, I think.

 

[Technics 1210]

Mr O'Farrell Is spot on, more Black and Asian kids prefer football to cricket. This has nothing to do with race, but to do with money and role models.

Whether it was the 80s, or the 2020s, take a walk in the Park and football is the most popular sport. For black kids, there are more role models in football, plus more money to be made. So the motivation is clearly there.

Football has always been a working class sport, whereas Cricket an elitist sport. These are just the facts, nothing to do with race. I would even go as far as saying Athletics and boxing are more popular with the black community than cricket.

Mr O'Farrell Can do next to nothing to attract cricket to a younger black generation because at the end of the day, Cricket is considered boring and doesn’t bring the riches and fame like other sports do.

 

[Mamoon]

To be honest, I don't think there is anything terrible in what he said. If what he says can be corroborated by a research study, then his comments are absolutely fine. In today's world, anything you say can literally be twisted in either direction and be blasted by a certain segment of society. A person is always in a lose-lose situation I feel.

This is a well-known fact that parents of South Asian kids prefer their kids to excel in education first and sports comes later. If anybody denies this, then they are living in cuckoo-land. The Middlesex chairman basically said the same thing.

People need to stop over-scrutinizing comments and judge the conversation on a holistic basis.

Totally agree.

He spoke facts. Unfortunately, the Asian communicate in the UK is the easiest to offend and trigger.

He wouldn’t be receiving any backlash if he wasn’t white.

 

[Rana]

Totally agree.

He spoke facts. Unfortunately, the Asian communicate in the UK is the easiest to offend and trigger.

He wouldn’t be receiving any backlash if he wasn’t white.

But he is wrong

80% of the clubs in Middlesex are have a 75% and above south Asian representation. They all have youngsters that are working hard to break through at FC level in their age groups. Just goes to show that the mindset of the selectors has always been negative against them.

 

[Rana]

The guy is totally wrong about the Asian community. He provides no proper context. The reason why there are parents who prefer an equal balance to academia and cricket is because they know full well that their child has a very small likelihood to get selected over a white contemporary for the same role or position. So they are always trying to make sure that their child has something to fall back on if his dreams of playing cricket do not materialise.

The margin of error for these upcoming players is so small, they need to be on top of their game throughout and their isn’t the slightest of chance to falter or lose interest in their pursuit for them.

 

[Mamoon]

But he is wrong

80% of the clubs in Middlesex are have a 75% and above south Asian representation. They all have youngsters that are working hard to break through at FC level in their age groups. Just goes to show that the mindset of the selectors has always been negative against them.

Can’t blame the selectors when almost all of them are mentally weak. If I were a selector at one of these clubs, I would always prefer a white player to an Asian one because history is not on their side.

9 out of 10 Asian players are out of their depth and when their careers tank because of their own mediocrity, they play the racism card.

I am now eagerly waiting for Haseeb Hameed’s fictitious narrative few years down the line and how his career crashed because of racial abuse.

We are told by the apologists that the Asian players have to work harder and be much better than the whites to break through, but performances in international cricket don’t reflect that, otherwise Bopara would have been better than Root and Sajid Mahmood would be better than Anderson.

 

[Mamoon]

The guy is totally wrong about the Asian community. He provides no proper context. The reason why there are parents who prefer an equal balance to academia and cricket is because they know full well that their child has a very small likelihood to get selected over a white contemporary for the same role or position. So they are always trying to make sure that their child has something to fall back on if his dreams of playing cricket do not materialise.

The margin of error for these upcoming players is so small, they need to be on top of their game throughout and their isn’t the slightest of chance to falter or lose interest in their pursuit for them.

They have to be on top of their game throughout but somehow, they don’t excel when they play for England. Why is that? I know there is a good excuse somewhere but I would like to here it.

If you look at the past 20 odd years, why have the vast majority of Asian players failed to deliver for England?

 

[Rana]

[/b]

They have to be on top of their game throughout but somehow, they don’t excel when they play for England. Why is that? I know there is a good excuse somewhere but I would like to here it.

If you look at the past 20 odd years, why have the vast majority of Asian players failed to deliver for England?

In the past 10 years, two players who have come from the South Asian community are two of England’s most important players (Moeen and Rashid). Some Asian players being mentally weak is highlighted a lot because they are the very few, scarce who come through. What about the many English players who turn out to be mentally weak in comparison? Not every God gifted player will become Lara or Ponting just because they promised to become that when coming through the ranks

 

[Mamoon]

In the past 10 years, two players who have come from the South Asian community are two of England’s most important players (Moeen and Rashid). Some Asian players being mentally weak is highlighted a lot because they are the very few, scarce who come through. What about the many English players who turn out to be mentally weak in comparison? Not every God gifted player will become Lara or Ponting just because they promised to become that when coming through the ranks

You have to look at the rate of failure. From Kabir Ali to Sajid Mahmood to Bopara to Monty to Owais to Shahzad to Solanki and now Haseeb, all of these guys turned up for England and failed. I’m sure I must have missed a few names.

Rashid is a success no doubt, and I have stated multiple times that he is the ideal role model for Asian cricketers because unlike Moeen, he has never played the racism card.

As far as Moeen is concerned, it is a bit of a stretch to call him a success. England have made it implicitly clear on numerous occasions that the only reason they play him is because he is the least worst player in his role.

He has had too low moments to be considered a top player.

 

[James]

Poor comments and a pathetic apology as well.

 

[Robert]

Football has always been a working class sport, whereas Cricket an elitist sport.

Not always. There were numerous working class lads who became professional cricketers until fairly recently. Boycott, Gooch, Botham, Gatting, Willis were all blue collar. Lots of black lads came through - Slack, Butcher, Cowans, Williams from Middlesex alone, then DeFreitas, Malcolm, Small, Tudor, Lewis.

Further back than them, the fast bowlers came straight out of the coal mines. Larwood and Voce, and Trueman and Statham were miners.

Things started to change in the eighties when the inner city schools began selling their cricket fields. Only the posh kid schools kept theirs. So when the aforementioned black players retired, no more came through. The tough blue collar skippers Illingworth, Gatting and Hussain were replaced by the posho Strausses and Cooks….

 

[Robert]

Can’t blame the selectors when almost all of them are mentally weak. If I were a selector at one of these clubs, I would always prefer a white player to an Asian one because history is not on their side.

9 out of 10 Asian players are out of their depth and when their careers tank because of their own mediocrity, they play the racism card.

Well, I would argue that eight out of ten white England players are out of their depth in internationals and cannot cope.

But there are far fewer Asians representing England due to institutional racism so Asians don’t get the chance to shine, while borderline players who are white get millions of chances.

 

[Markhor]

Not a racist comment but a lazy and fatalistic comment. All you need to play football is a ball and jumpers for goalposts.

Cricket is too much expense for working class kids of all races. Bats, balls, wickets, boxes, pads, guards etc etc.

Also where's the exposure ? With playing fields being sold off, cricket has become the preserve of private schools. Kids aren't seeing the sport on free-to-air TV either thanks to ECB's short sighted decision in 2005 to give Sky exclusive rights.

 

[shaz619]

Not a racist comment but a lazy and fatalistic comment. All you need to play football is a ball and jumpers for goalposts.

Cricket is too much expense for working class kids of all races. Bats, balls, wickets, boxes, pads, guards etc etc.

Also where's the exposure ? With playing fields being sold off, cricket has become the preserve of private schools. Kids aren't seeing the sport on free-to-air TV either thanks to ECB's short sighted decision in 2005 to give Sky exclusive rights.

There’s not as much interest from the Afro Caribbean community (outside Handsworth CC) and it’s a good area to promote the game, but there are plenty of working class asians who play club cricket, it’s a pretty vibrant scene but there’s an obvious gap between the CC level and those who make it to the international stage.

You could argue in the past how lack of equipment and family support are major issues, but not so much now, those are excuses to sweep the beast which is racial prejudice under the rug.

We live in toxic times, high levels of Islamophobia, our PM is Boris ***, there’s a strong far right presence and there are plenty of idiot coconuts who identify as a filth called Tory. Many at the CC level now have a shorter tolerance towards racist umpiring and nepotism as a consequence of their background, otherwise with the success of world champions in Mo and Rash, you’d expect a new wave of interest and engagement which just isn’t there because we have a deeper problem, whether folk like Azeem or not he has highlighted some serious issues. People as a result are put of pursuing cricket any further and with all the counties full of polished *****, nobody wants to put up with that and instead are encouraged to pursue sciences which is probably a good thing really.

 

[Saj]

This guy needs to go to Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds etc and just see how many Asian lads are playing cricket. Whether that be in the parks or in local leagues or the streets.

To say Asian lads aren't interested in cricket or want to have cricket as a career is just ludicrous.

Give them opportunities, instead of stereotyping them.

 

[James]

This guy needs to go to Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds etc and just see how many Asian lads are playing cricket. Whether that be in the parks or in local leagues or the streets.

To say Asian lads aren't interested in cricket or want to have cricket as a career is just ludicrous.

Give them opportunities, instead of stereotyping them.

These were my immediate thoughts as well. Outside of local White kids, most of the young guys who I see playing club cricket and village cricket in West Yorkshire are Asian.

 

[Bewal Express]

This guy needs to go to Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds etc and just see how many Asian lads are playing cricket. Whether that be in the parks or in local leagues or the streets.

To say Asian lads aren't interested in cricket or want to have cricket as a career is just ludicrous.

Give them opportunities, instead of stereotyping them.

I am not sure which Asians the guy knows but the passion amongst the desis remains strong but he is right about young black guys not playing cricket.

 

[Saj]

I am not sure which Asians the guy knows but the passion amongst the desis remains strong but he is right about young black guys not playing cricket.

My guess, he knows or interacts with very few Asians. Maybe only when he goes for a curry at his favourite Indian restaurant.

 

[Maher96]

All these negative news Articles with racism rooted in English cricket coming out, Boris on shenanigans..

After brexit it seems England is losing a lot international reputation.

 

[MenInG]

Former Hampshire cricketer John Holder has hit out at Middlesex CCC and chairman Mike O’Farrell, claiming the county cricket team ‘do not want black people’ at the club.

Holder, the only non-white Test umpire in British cricket history, labelled O’Farrell’s testimony to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee yesterday as ‘utter horse muck’.

The chairman apologised after claiming the lack of diversity in cricket was due to such groups having other interests, like football and rugby. His comments ignited an immediate backlash as players, fans and politicians blasted the ‘lazy stereotype’.

Following his remarks, O'Farrell insisted he was misunderstood and that he never intended to inconvenience or hurt anyone.

His comments come amid the probe into cricket after former Yorkshire bowler Azeem Rafiq ‘confirmed what an endemic problem the game has’.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Holder said: “That statement from the Middlesex chairman is complete and utter horse muck.

"That reminds me, I came here back in the early 1960s, and around that time it was said publicly that black people didn’t have the capacity, the team spirit, the desire to play professional football. What has happened in the English football league?

“You look at most teams now during the football season, and there’s a massive proportion of the players are black.

"Then again in education it was publicly said for many, many years that black kids were mentally subnormal and almost unteachable.

"That is complete garbage…Middlesex over the years has trawled the high schools and clubs in South Africa to find white players to come and play for Middlesex.

“I have a friend who is a member of Middlesex County Cricket Club, and he says he is ashamed to be a member because Middlesex is trying to become an all-white club, they don’t want black people in there. It doesn’t surprise me that the chairman of that club has made a statement like that.”

When approached for comment by Mirror Sport, Middlesex CCC pointed to chairman O’Farrell’s comments yesterday, insisting they were taken out of context and were never intended to inconvenience or hurt anyone.

The club had ‘nothing to add’ in light of Holder’s interview this morning.

In his statement yesterday, O'Farrell said: "I wholly accept that this misunderstanding is entirely down to my own lack of clarity and context in the answers I provided, and I am devastated that my comments have led to the conclusions some have made.

"For the purposes of clarification, I was aiming to make the point that as a game, cricket has failed a generation of young cricketers, in systematically failing to provide them with the same opportunities that other sports and sectors so successfully provide."

When asked if O’Farrell should be sacked, Holder said he should and also added that the apology is unaccepted.

Holder also went to say that he does believe it’s of ‘prime importance’ that the clubs embroiled in the row accept that racism exist.

“When white people start making comments about your colour in a sniggering and derogatory manner, it needs to be outlawed completely,” Holder continued.

“If you’re trying to create some sort of team spirit within a club - because the happier the players are playing together, the better they will play - and you’ve got someone constantly making nasty comments to non-white people, that is going to sour relations in the club and you’re not going to go anywhere.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/cri...-emotional-interview/ar-AAT9XZZ?ocid=msedgntp