Sussex all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice has been handed a one-match ban from the Cricket Regulator after admitting using a racist word towards a group of teammates after a County Championship match.
Fynn Hudson-Prentice banned for PCR breach
Hudson-Prentice admitted one charge in breach of Regulation 3.3 of the Professional Conduct Regulations (PCR), which relate to engaging in "conduct related to race which had the effect of violating the dignity of another or creating an offensive environment for that person."
The incident in question took place after Sussex's final home Championship match of the season against Yorkshire on September 23, where Hudson-Prentice shouted "alright n*****" to a group of players leaving a post-match social event.
The Cricket Regulator has issued the 29-year-old with a reprimand and a one-match ban, which is taken as served given Hudson-Prentice was deselected for Sussex's following match against Yorkshire as a result of the incident. Hudson-Prentice will also be required to undertake equality and diversity training.
The full judgement of the case revealed that the incident took place as several Sussex players left a post-match social gathering where there were pizza and drinks in the home dressing room at Hove. Hudson-Prentice reported in his interview with the Cricket Regulator that there had been "several drinking games" played during the gathering, and that he was "very intoxicated" at the time of the incident. He also reported that it had been getting "quite silly" in the dressing room and that a group of people on the balcony had been exchanging "general banter" shortly before the incident.
Hudson-Prentice: I feel disgusted about my wrongdoing in this situation
Among several players leaving the gathering at around 10pm was Player A, who is identified as black in the judgement. Tom Haines, also among those leaving, called up to Hudson-Prentice on the balcony, to which he responded with "Alright n*****". The judgement stated that Hudson-Prentice "had no idea" Player A was there, as Player A had his hood up and his back to Hudson-Prentice at the time.
Once it was pointed out to Hudson-Prentice that Player A was among the group, he "felt horrendous and sick to his stomach" that Player A had heard him use that word, and immediately sought out one of the Sussex CCC managers for advice.
Hudson-Prentice then called Player A and "apologised profusely for using that language and said that he had not intended to cause offence and that it was a stupid joke for which he was very sorry."
Player A gave evidence to the Cricket Regulator that he has always had "a welcoming and friendly relationship" with Hudson-Prentice, and that he "has never heard the Respondent [Hudson-Prentice] ever use language of this nature on any other occasion".
In his interview with the Cricket Regulator, Hudson-Prentice said: "I feel so disgusted about this whole, like, my own wrongdoing in this situation, because I've always been someone that has respected others, and that people can approach for issues, and things that have gone on either cricket related or otherwise."
It was noted in the judgement that it was "apparent from both the audio and the transcript that the Respondent [Hudson-Prentice] was deeply upset by his own actions and their effect on others."
Managing Director of the Cricket Regulator Chris Haward said: “Discriminatory language has no place in the game of cricket or wider society... Ensuring that cricket is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all is a priority for the Cricket Regulator."
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