Former South African wicketkeeper and current head coach of the team Mark Boucher has apologized for singing offensive songs and giving nicknames to coloured players during his playing days.
He was accused by some of his teammates during that time, which includes spinner Paul Adams who testified saying that he was part of the group singing those songs and giving nicknames. Boucher gave a 14-page affidavit to Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation Building(SJN) committee, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo.
Adams had testified to the SJN committee that Boucher used to be part of a group singing songs that had racial slurs on him. Boucher has claimed that Adams was never given a nickname. As these allegations started to be heard, Boucher has put out a statement saying that he apologizes unreservedly for any offensive conduct he has committed, whether it was real or perceived.
He adds, “We, the team, coaching staff, selectors and CSA, during the period in question, should have been more sensitive and created an environment where all members of the team could raise and talk about these issues without allowing them to fester, as they clearly have.”
He continues saying that with the benefit of hindsight and maturity, he has indeed said things, as a young man, which were downright offensive to his team members and for that he apologizes sincerely. He also said that he “deeply regrets” the part he played when he used to join his team for singing offensive songs and also, giving offensive nicknames.
Boucher is now the head of South Africa and was an accomplished and legendary wicketkeeper for them, playing 147 Tests and 295 One Day matches.
