When problems crop up in the sporting world, its governing bodies can no longer rely on lack of knowledge, say David Mayor & Alastair Gillespie
- Sports governing bodies must ensure that they are proactively enforcing a positive culture at every level; otherwise, they will face claims of responsibility or vicarious liability when allegations of abuse and discrimination arise.
The recent case of Ollie Robinson has brought the nature of the relationship between governing bodies and the individuals for whom they are responsible into sharp focus. In June, on the very day that Mr Robinson made his debut for the England cricket team, it was revealed in the national media that nine years previously he had posted racist and sexist tweets. Amid the media frenzy, as some blamed the naivety of youth and others called for a variety of punishments to be meted out, the governing body of cricket in this country, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), announced that it would be conducting a thorough investigation.
The ECB’s policy library is extensive and covers a wide
