MCC: Fined former president Philip Hodgson over his discriminatory comments

Former Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Philip Hodson has been fined over offensive and discriminatory comments he made in an after-dinner speech when he was Yorkshire vice-president.

Hodson, a Yorkshire businessman and former Cambridge cricketer, was presenting as a guest speaker at Scarborough Cricket Club in July last year when he made two comments relating to sexual orientation and people with disabilities.

The Independent Disciplinary Commission for Cricket imposed a reprimand, a £1,000 fine and a requirement to undertake a course covering equality and diversity on Hodson, who is no longer in his role at Yorkshire.

Chris Howard, managing director of the Cricket Regulator, said: “The ICEC report was clear that as with all areas of culture, the tone is set from the top down, and the Cricket Regulator will act regardless of an individual’s position within the game.”

Hodson, 74, was chairman of the MCC in 2012 and was the first Yorkshire man to hold the role in 50 years.

In 2023, Yorkshire were fined £400,000 and deducted points over their handling of the Azim Rafiq racism scandal.

Former Yorkshire player Rafiq said English cricket was “institutionally racist” and that racist language was “constantly” used at the club.

Six former Yorkshire players who used racist language at the club have been handed fines and bans.

Earlier this week, former England international Moeen Ali scrapped his retirement plans to join the club and praised its steps to stamp out racism.