Mark Boucher express regret for singing offensive songs with his teammates

Former South Africa wicketkeeper and present head coach, Mark Boucher, has made an apology for participating in the group who were singing offensive songs and using nicknames for colored teammates in his playing days.

He submitted a 14-page affidavit to Nation-Building (SJN) and Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice committee after getting accused of racism by some of his fellow players, including Mark Boucher, Paul Adams.

Paul, in his statement to SJN, claimed Mark was among the co-players who made racial slurs on him in a song, on this Mark said he did not give Paul any nickname.

Mark responded to the allegations and told that he and his teammates should have been more sensitive.

Mark wrote in his affidavit, “I apologize unreservedly for any offensive conduct, real or perceived, that has been attributed to me,”

He added, “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.” “…With the benefit of hindsight and maturity, appreciate that I may have said or done things as a young man that offended some of my teammates. For this, I apologize sincerely and unreservedly.”

He concluded, “deeply regrets and apologies for the part I played in joining in with my team-mates in singing offensive songs or using offensive nicknames”.

Mark Boucher represented South Africa in 147 Tests and 295 ODIs.