Hampshire knew signing Scott Kuggeleijn was wrong, and did it anyway – Sonia Twigg
Hampshire did nothing legally wrong when they signed Scott Kuggeleijn. Morality is another matter entirely.
Hampshire have four games left in England’s County Championship to wrestle free of the grip of relegation. With what one can only assume was a sense of desperation, they turned to a player whose arrival sent shock waves rippling through the game and social media.
Kuggeleijn was not convicted of any crime. He was, however, charged with sexual violation by rape and indecent assault involving two separate complainants in 2015. The first trial, in 2016, resulted in a hung jury and he was acquitted at a second trial the following year.
During the trial, the complainant told the court she had said no “dozens of times” on the night the incident took place.
In giving evidence, Kuggeleijn said: “I tried [having sex] twice, like she might have said ‘no, no’ a few times but it wasn’t dozens of times.” He also said she was “provocatively dressed” and “looking for male attention”.
Regardless of the legal outcome, should someone who made those comments be allowed to represent an English institution, or be held up as a role model? The thought is abhorrent.
One only has to look at how the likes of Mason Greenwood or Thomas Partey have forged successful careers overseas despite claims of sexual abuse.
It is highly unlikely that Greenwood will play for another English club, despite never being convicted or charged, because of the subsequent backlash.
Hampshire also did a rapid about-turn on their decision to sign a player who stood trial for rape and, before Kuggeleijn ever took the field, reneged on the deal after a backlash from staff and fans.
Speaking as a woman in sport, the initial decision by Hampshire to sign Kuggeleijn was undeniably uncomfortable and problematic, and their U-turn suggests they knew it was wrong.
Kuggeleijn was named in Hampshire’s squad on Wednesday, but the only announcement was a short article on the website, far devoid of the fanfare and publicity that normally accompanies even the most mundane of statements. Instead, the press release circulated the day before the match announced Kyle Abbott’s one-year extension, with no mention of the latest arrival.
The club then backtracked almost immediately, saying Kuggeleijn will not represent them after they “listened to feedback from our staff and supporters”. But the fact he was presumably flown into the country, signed a contract and then named on a team sheet before anyone questioned the action is almost impossible to believe.
Representing a county means just that: the badge signifies the club as a whole – men and women.
Hampshire Women, or Southern Vipers in their previous guise, have been one of the trailblazers of women’s cricket in this country, with Charlotte Edwards serving as head coach until she took the England job at the start of this year. How would anyone in that dressing room feel about the latest arrival to the club, given his documented comments about women?
Kuggeleijn’s career is not threatened by this U-turn. He has successfully represented New Zealand and played for various franchises around the world, including the Dubai Capitals, who have the same ownership as Hampshire.
Cricket clubs should hold themselves to a high moral standard, and to consider the thoughts and opinions of everyone in the game. And that includes women.