CHELMSFORD, England: Essex County has been charged by England’s cricket regulator with failing to address alleged “systemic” racist language and conduct at the club for a decade.
“It is alleged by the cricket regulator that there was systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language and/or conduct at Essex, during the period between 2001 and 2010, which Essex failed to address,” the cricket regulator said in a statement on Monday.
Essex said on Monday it had fully cooperated with the cricket regulator, and it intended to “participate willingly” with the cricket discipline commission which will hear the case on dates yet to be decided.
In 2021, allegations of racist language and conduct made by Jahid Ahmed, Zoheb Sharif and Maurice Chambers were investigated by King’s Counsel Katherine Newton, who gave her commissioned report to Essex.
Her report, published last December, found reference to players’ ethnic, racial and religious origins was “entirely normalized and tolerated behavior” within the dressing room culture at Essex from the mid-1990s until around 2013, under the misguided belief that it was acceptable ‘banter.’
Essex announced in February it had sanctioned individuals in connection with Newton’s findings, but did not name them.
Last July, Yorkshire was fined and docked points for how it handled allegations of discrimination by former player Azeem Rafiq, and for failing to address the systemic use of racist and discriminatory language from 2004-21.
Essex cricket charged with failing to address alleged ‘systemic’ racist language and conduct
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Essex cricket charged with failing to address alleged ‘systemic’ racist language and conduct
- In 2021, allegations of racist language and conduct were investigated
Emirates NBA Cup forming ‘its own identity’, as final 8 teams advance
- NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones say players now “understand the value” of the competition
DUBAI: The Emirates NBA Cup continues to gather pace in its second showing, with eight teams advancing to the knockout rounds and league executives highlighting strong global interest, including significant growth in the Middle East.
The quarterfinal lineup features the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns. The quarterfinals begin on Dec. 9, followed by the semifinals on Dec. 13 and the championship game on Dec. 16, with both the semifinals and final hosted in Las Vegas.
The Emirates NBA Cup was established in 2023 and its first two events were won by the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
A tournament that has changed perceptions
League officials say the Cup has quickly established itself as a competitive focal point in the early months of the season. James Jones, NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations, said players now approach the event with far stronger investment than during its launch year.
He explained that although the Cup concept felt unfamiliar at first, its structure and stakes have now become part of the league’s competitive rhythm.
“Once the players began to understand the concept of the Cup, they became excited because it created enhanced competition. The Cup has started to form its own identity. There are multiple ways to win: You can win the Cup, and you can also win the NBA Championship. There is nothing better than having two trophies in one season.”
Growing audiences in the Middle East
Interest in the Emirates NBA Cup continues to rise across international markets. Jones highlighted the Middle East as one of the fastest-growing regions for viewership, with Abu Dhabi’s consistent NBA presence playing a central role. The UAE capital hosted preseason games each year from 2022 to 2025, building a strong regional fan base and elevating awareness of the league.
“Viewership continues to soar,” he said. “Everyone was waiting to see how the league and the players would respond to the Cup, and now they can see that we are fully invested. Our global games, particularly in Abu Dhabi, have made the NBA more familiar to fans in the region. The growth over the last five years has been remarkable.”
This year’s knockout rounds feature several marquee names, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, with the Lakers, Kevin Durant with the Suns, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Oklahoma City and Jalen Brunson leading the Knicks, among others. Their presence has lifted international engagement as the tournament approaches its decisive stages.
“Big names definitely boost viewership, and their presence also raises the level of competition,” Jones said. “The Cup gives young players a platform to show how good they are. Those moments usually only happen in the playoffs, but now we see them in December.”
McGrady: Cup brings playoff pressure earlier in the season
NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady shared a similar sentiment, praising the Emirates NBA Cup for giving developing teams valuable postseason-style exposure.
“It gives those bottom-feed teams that are struggling to put a roster together, to build a team and make a run to the playoffs, a chance to feel that playoff atmosphere again,” McGrady said. “Because it is in-season, it raises the competitive nature of the league.”
“In terms of competition, it is very competitive, and that is what we want.”
As the quarterfinals tip off on Dec. 9 and the semifinals draw closer in Las Vegas, the Emirates NBA Cup continues to establish itself as one of the most influential features of the NBA calendar, shaping early-season momentum and giving fans a December preview of the intensity usually reserved for the NBA playoffs in spring.
