On 16 September the independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) suspended Alex Hepburn from playing for a period of 10 years.
Alex Hepburn was charged by the Cricket Regulator with two breaches of Directive 3.3 of the 2017 ECB Directives earlier this year. The first charge related to Mr Hepburn’s arrest and subsequent criminal conviction in April 2019, and the second charge related to his participation in an offensive WhatsApp group in 2017. At the relevant time, Mr Hepburn was a professional cricketer with Worcestershire CCC.
Mr Hepburn spent a period of time in prison, and the Cricket Regulator was able to serve him with notification of charge earlier this year.
Mr Hepburn failed to respond to the Charge Letter and related communication. As such, the CDC Panel reached its decision in his absence. Mr Hepburn has not appealed the CDC Panel’s decision.
For the first charge, relating to his criminal conviction, Mr Hepburn has been suspended from playing cricket for a period of 10 years, commencing on 30 October 2021. Further, before he is permitted to play, coach or undertake any cricket related activity which falls within the authority of the ECB in the future, he is required to undergo appropriate professional treatment for the issues which led to his criminal conviction (if appropriate with the involvement and oversight of the PCA) and to undertake appropriate training and education courses.
For the second charge, concerning his participation in an offensive WhatsApp group, Mr Hepburn has been suspended from playing for a period of 2 years (which is deemed served, having commenced on 30 October 2021).
The CDC Panel has published the full reasons for the suspension, which is available to view here.