Despite an independent report confirming the former off-spinner was subject to racial harassment the club's own investigation concludes no punishment is due
Yorkshire will not take action against anyone involved in the racial harassment of Azeem Rafiq.
Though an independent report upheld seven of the 43 allegations made by the former offspinner, leading to the club making a formal apology to him being a "victim of racial harassment" no further action will be taken.
"The club has also carried out their own internal investigation following the findings in the report after which they are able to report that they have come to the conclusion that there is no conduct or action taken by any of its employees, players or executives that warrants disciplinary action," said Yorkshire CCC.
Nearly three weeks have passed since the club were told to publish the full report into the "institutional racism" the 30-year-old alleged last year, and claim "legal reasons" are behind the document remaining out of public eyes.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have been provided with a copy and they are working with Yorkshire regarding their own inquiries.
A statement confirming the conclusion of the club's own internal inquiries adds that chairman Roger Hutton believes the Headingley side should be "proud of the work that the club has done to improve diversity".
Rafiq, who had two spells at Yorkshire between 2008-2014 and 2016-2018 and also captained the club, has confirmed many of the allegations surround individuals still in leadership positions with the county.
It took 12 months from Rafiq first airing his experiences to reach a verdict, though the club initially only admitted to committing "clearly unacceptable" behaviour.
A cloud has hung over Yorkshire since the allegations surfaced
Hutton then offered Rafiq a full apology in a statement in September, however, details of which allegations were upheld or dismissed were not disclosed as Yorkshire continued to withhold the full report.
Having now been provided with the full report, the ECB are considering the findings and are committed to a full process that will also include their own study of events.
“The ECB has this afternoon received a copy of the Report carried out on behalf of Yorkshire CCC into the allegations made by Azeem Rafiq, together with assurances from the club to cooperate fully with the ongoing regulatory process," a statement read.
“This is a matter with many serious allegations at its heart and the ECB’s regulatory team will now consider the report as part of its investigation.
“We anticipate that it will take time for the regulatory process to reach its conclusion, but it is imperative that this is completed thoroughly and with fairness to all involved.”
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Posted by Marc Evans on 30/10/2021 at 12:53
Boards at county clubs have long been a law unto themselves with Yorkshire top of the tree in this regard. We should not be surprised at any institution looking after their own interests above the individual's. With the present high profile rise in the individual's rights, especially in regard to minority groups, these dinosaurs are hopelessly out of touch and behave like they are some kind of gentleman's club, immune from the concerns of the man in the street. I'm not suggesting we populate boards with Woke but they have to understand, like it or not, the changing mores of society mean high handedness just results in embarrassing publicity that will not go away. Accountability has to be seen to be done.
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