Jason Holder wants racism to be treated as severely as match-fixing

West Indian captain Jason Holder has asked for stricter punishments for racism in cricket. He wants these charges to be treated on the par with those of match-fixing and doping. He also said that his team stands resolutely behind the Black Lives Matter movement. West Indies will be playing against England in a three-match series starting from 8th July.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Holder said, “I don’t think the penalty for doping or fixing should be any different for racism…We have come to England to retain the Wisden Trophy, but we are very conscious of happenings around the world and the fight for justice and equality. In addition to having anti-doping briefings and anti-corruption briefings, maybe we should have an anti-racism feature before we start a series. My message is that more education needs to go around it.” 

West Indian cricketers have been at the forefront of speaking against racism in cricket. Chris Gayle and Daren Sammy have revealed that cricket is not immune to the evil of racial discrimination. Sammy had also called out his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammates for casual racism while his stint in the IPL.

West Indian cricketers will sport “Black Lives Matter” emblems on their jersey during the three-Test series.