Ryan Sidebottom says sorry for "poor choice of words" in controversial interview

Sidebottom, who shared a dressing room with Azeem Rafiq during the off-spinner's time at Headingley, posted a statement on social media addressing the fallout from the conversation

Ryan Sidebottom has issued an apology for his "poor choice of words" during a discussion about the impact of the Azeem Rafiq case on Yorkshire.

Sidebottom, who has been named as part of the interim coaching team at Headingley under new director of cricket Darren Gough, caused controversy when he told Sky Sports that Yorkshire, its fans and the wider game should "forget about" the racism crisis which has engulfed the club over the past year. 

He said: "It's been tough viewing, tough listening, seeing social media. It's been very difficult for lots of reasons for a lot of people.

"Let's try and forget about it. There's no room for racism in any walk of life and hopefully now we can move forward, sort things out, do the right thing and get Yorkshire back firing on all cylinders.

^{Ryan Sidebottom, centre, has apologised for comments on a Sky Sports interview (Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)}

"But it's been a tough couple of months hasn't it for Yorkshire and everyone at the club."

The comments drew criticism from Rafiq, who wrote on Twitter: "Let's definitely not just 'forget it'... learn from it and make things better. Wish it was that easy just to forget it and pretend nothing happened."

Sidebottom, who shared a dressing room with Rafiq during the off-spinner's time at Headingley, posted a statement on social media addressing the fallout from the conversation.

"We should never forget, we must learn. I never meant to say forget. My choice of words were wrong, and an honest mistake," it read.

"I disagree wholeheartedly with discrimination and fully support all investigations and actions surrounding any racial abuse at Yorkshire CCC.

"In my interview with Sky Sports News I used the word 'forget'. This is not what I meant.

"I didn't mean that the situation should be forgotten about, on the contrary, it must never be forgotten. It was a poor choice of words.

"It is crucial that the club, and sport as a whole, learns and adapts to create a truly inclusive environment for all, at all levels.

"I apologise for any offence caused. I am now focused on supporting the playing group at Yorkshire CCC on the pitch."

▪️ Going back to Yorkshire
▪️ The Azeem Rafiq scandal
▪️ His thoughts on the Ashes
▪️ Future of England Test cricket@YorkshireCCC's @RyanSidebottom appeared on Sky Sports News to discuss all things cricket ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/azEZUQTU4w

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 10, 2022

Yorkshire sacked at least 14 members of staff after Rafiq's case was heard by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee in November, while former chairman Roger Hutton and chief executive Mark Arthur stood down from their positions.

Sidebottom is part of a stop-gap team put together under Gough to prepare the club for the new county season, which begins in April.

Steve Harmison, the former England seamer, and Tim Boon are among those enlisted to help out on a short-term basis, with none expected to become part of the long-term rebuild.

The vacant head coach role has been advertised and should be filled shortly.