Heather Knight, captain of the England Women’s cricket team, has been sanctioned by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) ahead of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup after a 2012 photo of her wearing blackface at a fancy-dress party resurfaced online. The event, held at a cricket club in Kent with a “sports stars” theme, has drawn criticism for being racist and discriminatory, leading to a £1000 (Rs. 3.7 Lac) suspended fine.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated that the photo breached Directive 3.3, which prohibits behavior that could harm the sport’s reputation or the interests of cricket. Knight, who was 21 at the time, accepted responsibility, expressed regret, and issued a public apology, noting she did not post the image herself.

In her statement, Knight said, “I’m deeply sorry for my actions in 2012. I was unaware of the harm it caused, and I’ve regretted it ever since. There was no malice intended.”

Though the CDC acknowledged the lack of intent to discriminate, it emphasized that the photodamaged cricket’s reputation and undermined the ECB’s commitment to eradicating discrimination. The fine is suspended for two years, conditional on her future conduct.

The CDC also considered Knight’s cooperation, participation in diversity training, and ambassadorial work in promoting inclusion. This marks her first disciplinary action.