England cricket captain Heather Knight has been reprimanded after historical photograph of her in 'blackface' appeared on social media.
Poised to lead England at next month's T20 World Cup, Knight says she is "truly sorry" for conduct that was deemed "racist and discriminatory" by Cricket Discipline Commission adjudicator Tim O'Gorman.
However, O'Gorman accepts there was no racist or discriminatory intent by Knight, who was 21, when the image was taken at sports-themed fancy dress party at a cricket club in Kent in 2012.
Knight's 1000 pounds (NZ$2100) fine has been suspended for two years.
"I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012," she said. "It was wrong and I have long regretted it.
"Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.
"Whilst I can't change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring underrepresented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have."
'Blackface' is the practice of performers, mostly white, dressing up to imitate caricatures of black people. A common feature of popular culture in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is now widely regarded as offensive and racist.
Knight's punishment takes into account that the photograph appeared on another person's Faceook account, she showed remorse and apologised when it emerged, had at the time not received education on the issues involved, and her work to promote diversity and inclusion.
"At a 'sports stars' themed party in 2012, Ms Knight appeared in a photo in fancy dress with blackface," said O'Gorman. "This, I find, was racist and discriminatory conduct, [but] I find and accept that there was no racist or discriminatory intent in the blackface itself.
"It is accepted that Ms Knight did not herself post the photograph on any social media platform, has no power to delete the photo and has no power to control how it has been posted (or might be posted in future).
"I consider that it is inappropriate and unnecessary to require a further apology."
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