ICC Chief Executives' Committee adopts amended Anti-Racism Code

The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has agreed to adopt and implement an amended Anti-Racism Code following a two-day meeting in Dubai on Sunday and Monday.

The amendments are designed to allow ICC Members to impose a range of punishments on spectators found guilty of racial abuse, ranging from ejection from the venue to a life ban.

And Members failing to uphold the Code could also face penalties if racist incidents happen at a venue under their control, those penalties ranging from warnings through to fines and the possible withdrawal of international status from the venue where any incident took place.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "The adoption of the amended ICC Anti-Racism Code is a further illustration of cricket's zero tolerance to racism.

"That is already enshrined in the ICC Code of Conduct where racism is considered one of the most serious acts that can be committed, with the possibility of a life ban for anyone found guilty of such an offence.

"It has also been a part of our regulations for the past three years through our Anti-Racism Code and the further strengthening of this Code is another illustration of our commitment in this area.

"Cricket is a sport which reflects the world's diversity with a range of races and religions all involved.

"That diversity is something the game can be proud of and our Anti-Racism Code is something that emphasizes the commitment of all our Members to maintaining and enhancing it."

The amendments to the Code, which was first adopted in 2003 and then later amended in 2005, follows recommendations by India's Solicitor General Mr Goolam Vahanvati and a working party made up of ICC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malcolm Speed, James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia CEO, and Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola.

Those recommendations were made in the wake of allegations of racist abuse directed at South Africa players during its tour of Australia during the last southern hemisphere summer.

The CEC and the ICC's Executive Board reviewed these recommendations at their meetings at Lord's in July, and now the CEC has agreed to adopt and implement the amended Code.

In addition to the new Anti-Racism Code, the CEC also agreed to a series of anti-racism policy initiatives, including:

The amended ICC Anti-Racism Code will be available on the ICC's website in the near future. The 2005 Anti-Racism Code can be viewed here

The CEC is made up of the Chief Executives or their equivalent from all ten ICC Full Members, as well as three Associate Members, the ICC Chief Executive and President and the Chairman of the ICC's Cricket Committee.

The following delegates attended the CEC meeting, held at the ICC's offices:

James Sutherland (Australia)
Mahmudur Rahman (Bangladesh)
David Collier (England)
Niranjan Shah (India)
Martin Snedden (New Zealand)
Salim Altaf (Pakistan)
Gerald Majola (South Africa)
Duleep Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Barry Thomas (West Indies)
Ozias Bvute (Zimbabwe)

John Cribbin (Hong Kong)
Ricardo Lord (Argentina)
Laurie Pieters (Namibia)

Malcolm Speed (ICC CEO)
Percy Sonn (ICC President)
Sunil Gavaskar (Chairman of ICC Cricket Committee)