England opener Alex Hales has been reprimanded by the ECB over a historic social media post from 2009 showing him in blackface at a New Year's Eve party.
The photo came to light in November 2021 and Hales issued an apology, stating: "The theme was musicians and Tupac is, was and always will be my favourite musician, so I went as him. I obviously realise that this is incredibly disrespectful and I want to apologise for all the offence this has no doubt caused.
"It was incredibly reckless and foolish on my behalf, so I want to apologise for that, apologise to the club for the embarrassment it would have caused them. I guess my twenties was full of mistakes like that, reckless mistakes off the field that cost me, let down family, let down team-mates, let down friends, close relationships I had during my twenties.
"Some of those decisions I'll regret for the rest of my life, and the last few years being away from the spotlight a little bit has given me a chance to try and better myself as a human, keep getting better at cricket, but getting better off the field as well.
"It's something I feel like I've done, and I'm continuing to strive to do." Now, following a Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) hearing, Hales has been issued a reprimand after admitting a breach of ECB Directive 3.3.
The directive states: "No such person may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute." The CDC also found Hales' actions to be "racist and discriminatory conduct".
The decision adds that: "Mr Hales did not believe his actions were racist or offensive at the time, though he has acknowledged that he would not dress in that manner now. He is older and more mature."
It also states that "there was no racist or discriminatory intent in dressing as he did and in posing for the photo." The CDC also rejected an argument from the ECB that "Hales' subsequent serious breaches of ECB's Directives" should be considered an "aggravating factor".
Former Warwickshire and Leicestershire cricketer Ateeq Javid was also reprimanded by the CDC over "racist and discriminatory conduct" after making anti-semitic comments in an exchange on Facebook with Azeem Rafiq, who was reprimanded for his comments in October.
