Zoheb Sharif predominantly played in Essex’s second team
Former Essex player Zoheb Sharif has made allegations of racist abuse relating to his time at the club between 2001 and 2004.
It comes after Essex chief executive John Stephenson said on Saturday he was “extremely saddened” an ex-player had made racism allegations.
Batter Sharif, now 38, started playing for Essex at the age of eight.
He went on to make four County Championship appearances for the club before being released.
“It was a day after the September 11 attacks. People started calling me Bomber,” Sharif told the Mirror.
“I didn’t say anything at the time. I was a teenager in a dressing room with big characters. To them it was banter. To me it wasn’t, but you don’t want to do anything to block your chance of getting into the first team.”
On Saturday, Stephenson said that he was “extremely shocked and saddened” to learn of a racism allegation.
“There is absolutely no place for discrimination of any kind at Essex County Cricket Club,” he added.
Essex said they are encouraging any former players, staff or those associated with the club to come forward, either in person or anonymously, if they had experienced discrimination.
“I immediately reached out to the former player to offer him my and Essex County Cricket Club’s full support and to encourage him to come forward and talk to myself and the club about his experiences,” …….