Yorkshire Admit Ex-Player Azeem Rafiq Was Victim Of 'Racial Harassment & Bullying'

Cricket Image for Yorkshire Admit Ex-Player Azeem Rafiq Was Victim Of 'Racial Harassment & Bullying' (Image Source: Google)

England county cricket club Yorkshire has acknowledged that former player Azeem Rafiq was a victim of 'racial harassment and bullying'. It also said that it is not possible to determine conclusively about institutional racism within the club and have maintained they won't publish the full report.

Last year, Rafiq, a former England U-19 captain, made serious allegations over his time at Yorkshire, saying that the 'institutional racism' at the club almost made him take his own life. After this, the club commissioned an independent panel to investigate Rafiq's claims. An eight-page summary of an independent panel's findings and recommendations was finally published on Friday, just after the fifth Test between England and India was cancelled in Manchester due to Covid-19 scare in the tourist's camp.

"There is no question that Azeem Rafiq, during his first spell as a player at YCCC, was the victim of racial harassment. He was also subsequently the victim of bullying. On behalf of all at YCCC, I wish to extend my sincere, profound and unreserved apologies to Azeem and to his family," said Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton.

The report upheld just seven of the 43 allegations dating back to 2002, claiming there was insufficient evidence to prove any further claims. Those which were detailed include examples of racist language and jokes, bullying Rafiq over his weight and fitness, and a failure to fully investigate initial complaints made to the club.

Among the allegations that were not upheld from the investigation are claims from Rafiq that he was treated unfairly due to race during his second spell with Yorkshire from 2016 to 2018, and the panel also found no cricketing decisions were made due to his race or religion.

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