Azeem Rafiq apologises after anti-Semitic messages surface

The former Yorkshire spinner, who won widespread praise for recounting his long struggle against racism at Yorkshire to a parliamentary hearing of the DCMS committee, says he has "absolutely no excuses" for the posts made when he was 19

Azeem Rafiq has issued an unreserved apology and admitted his shame after antisemitic messages came to light on social media.

Azeem, who on Tuesday (November 16) won widespread praise for recounting his long struggle against racism at Yorkshire to a parliamentary hearing of the DCMS committee, was revealed to have exchanged the remarks with a friend in 2011. In them, he talked about Jewish people in disparaging terms and with the use of degrading stereotypes. 

He subsequently admitted the exchanges were genuine, accepted he had “no excuses” and offered an apology to “the Jewish community” and everyone who was “rightly offended.” He went on to tell The Cricketer that he was “disgusted” with himself.

“I was sent an image of this exchange from early 2011 today,” Azeem said in a statement. “I have gone back to check my account and it is me – I have absolutely no excuses.

“I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence. I was 19 at the time and hope and believe I am a different person today.

^{The anti-Semitic posts made by Azeem Rafiq in 2011}

“I am incredibly angry at myself and apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this.”

The revelation will be intensely embarrassing to Azeem. Not only does it leave him open to accusations of hypocrisy but it will undermine his image as “a voice for the voiceless”, which he how he described himself to the DCMS hearing.

Many of the allegations he made against Yorkshire players were also similarly historic, with Gary Ballance claiming that his own abuse of Azeem was in response to “banter” about his own heritage.

In the grand scheme of things, however, it might serve to underline how deep the issue of racism extends into cricket and convince the sport’s authorities to redouble their efforts to improve matters.

It is understood further damaging revelations are imminent.

Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “Azeem Rafiq has suffered terribly at the hands of racists in cricket so he will well understand the hurt this exchange will cause to Jews who have supported him. His apology certainly seems heartfelt and we have no reason to believe he is not completely sincere.”