Cricketer Azeem Rafiq In Racism Scandal Tells British Lawmakers He Felt “Humiliated”

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq fought again tears as he advised a committee of British lawmakers on Tuesday he felt “remoted and humiliated” by the racist therapy he acquired whereas taking part in for the membership. An unbiased report discovered the Pakistan-born participant was a sufferer of “racial harassment and bullying” whereas Rafiq himself mentioned he had been pushed to ideas of suicide over the best way he was handled. Though the English county apologised, they mentioned they’d take no disciplinary motion in opposition to any employees — a call that was met with disbelief in lots of quarters and prompted the Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport choose committee to carry a listening to.

“I felt, remoted, humiliated at occasions,” Rafiq, who had two durations on the membership, advised the committee.

The 30-year-old Rafiq mentioned racism had been commonplace at Yorkshire, one in all England’s oldest and most profitable golf equipment.

“Fairly early on, me and different folks from an Asian background… there have been feedback corresponding to ‘you will sit over there close to the bogs’, ‘elephant-washers’.

“The phrase Paki was used continuously. And there simply appeared to be an acceptance within the establishment from the leaders and nobody ever stamped it out.”

Rafiq added: “All I needed to do is play cricket and play for England and dwell my dream and dwell my household’s dream. In my first spell, I do not actually suppose I fairly realised what it was. I believe I used to be in denial.”

He mentioned he began taking medicine as a consequence of his deteriorating psychological well being and left Yorkshire for the primary time in 2014.

When he returned to the membership he mentioned he felt supported by then Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie however that the scenario worsened when the previous Australia quick bowler left the membership.

“Jason left in 2016 and it simply felt the temperature within the room had been turned up,” Rafiq mentioned.

Promoted

“You had Andrew Gale coming in as coach and Gary Ballance as captain.

“For the primary time I began to see for what it was — I felt remoted, humiliated at occasions. Fixed use of the phrase ‘Paki’.”