Ex-Yorkshire Cricketer Azeem Rafiq Predicts “Floodgates” Will Open In Cricket Racism Crisis

Nov 17, 2021

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Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq expects the “floodgates” to open in cricket’s racism disaster, predicting hundreds may come ahead after giving a disturbing account of his personal experiences to British lawmakers. Pakistan-born Rafiq informed MPs on the Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport committee on Tuesday how racist language was “consistently” used throughout his two spells on the county membership. The 30-year-old, who had dreamed of enjoying for England, mentioned the game within the nation was blighted by institutional racism. He made a number of recent allegations towards high-profile people, together with ex-England gamers Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard and Alex Hales, and predicted others will communicate up of their droves.

There have already been accusations of racism at Essex whereas quite a lot of different counties had been additionally named throughout the parliamentary listening to.

“I do really feel now it will be a bit of little bit of floodgates and numerous victims of abuse are going to come back ahead and we have to take heed to them, hear them, assist them and work out a plan to ensure this does not occur once more,” he informed Sky Sports activities.

“I believe you are going to get it (complaints) into the a whole lot and hundreds, presumably, and I believe it is the way in which they deal with it. We have right here due to Yorkshire’s dealing with of this.”

The fallout for Yorkshire over the scandal has been devastating, with sponsors making a mass exodus, resignations from high directors and the membership barred from internet hosting profitable worldwide matches.

However Rafiq warned that the county couldn’t transfer ahead till head coach Andrew Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon had left the Headingley-based membership.

Gale is presently suspended pending investigations over a historic tweet and Moxon is signed off with a stress-related sickness.

“I do not suppose Martyn and Andrew can (proceed of their roles),” mentioned Rafiq. “I believe Gary (Ballance) — if he apologises correctly and has some type of acceptance and accountability — he needs to be allowed to play.

“However when it comes to Andrew and Martyn, I do not suppose it is doable for Yorkshire to maneuver ahead with them nonetheless in there realizing full effectively what kind of function they performed in that establishment.”

Sayeeda Warsi, a lawmaker in Britain’s unelected Home of Lords, referred to as on the England and Wales Cricket Board to steer change.

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“It’s time for the ECB to be concerned with a full inquiry which features a fact and reconciliation course of that permits anonymity as a result of that’s what gamers need,” she informed the BBC.

“What occurred to Azeem was the tip of the iceberg in Yorkshire and what we’re seeing occurring in Yorkshire is the tip of the iceberg as to what’s occurring in English cricket.”

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