Azeem Rafiq criticises Yorkshire statement after admission of "inappropriate behaviour"

The investigation was commissioned last September after Rafiq alleged that he had suffered racist abuse during his time as an off-spinner at Yorkshire

Azeem Rafiq has criticised a statement put out by Yorkshire on Thursday in which the county issued “profound apologies” after an investigation into allegations made last year had found Rafiq to be “the victim of inappropriate behaviour”.

The investigation was commissioned last September after the former off-spinner alleged that he had suffered racist abuse during his time at Headingley.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the release of the statement, Rafiq admitted he didn’t “really know what to say any more”.

“To try and tone racism down to ‘inappropriate behaviour’, I find it really difficult to understand what they think they are doing. At the end of [the statement] there is some sort of apology, but it is spoilt by the words that are used to try and minimise what my allegations were.

“I want to know which of my allegations have not been upheld. I am very comfortable, I have a lot of proof to back up the things that I am saying. I wouldn’t think twice about making sure people see that proof because I am not having, for any second of the day, a statement that turns my sufferings of over a decade into ‘inappropriate behaviour.’”

Some of Rafiq’s allegations “were not upheld and for others there was insufficient evidence for the panel to make a determination”, according to Yorkshire’s statement, which added: “It is right, however, to acknowledge from the outset that several of the allegations made by Azeem were upheld and that sadly, historically, Azeem was the victim of inappropriate behaviour. This is clearly unacceptable. We would like to express our profound apologies for this.

“The panel also found that the club failed to implement its policies and procedures in relation to these serious issues. The club understands the importance of the panel’s findings.”

^{Azeem Rafiq played for Yorkshire in two spells between 2008 and 2018}

Rafiq said: “Most of my allegations are about people who are currently at the club in leadership positions so to try and say these are historic allegations from a long time ago – yes, there are some things on there that go back to the start of my career, but the majority of them are about people who are still there and from during my second spell at the club.

“To do a statement rather than release the report – clearly they are trying to buy more time, delay it. But I have got a message for them: it isn’t going away, I am not going away. If they really want to deal with this properly, the start of is accountability. I think the chief executive, the director of cricket, everyone who was in that room when I said it and the inclusion and diversity manager whose front room I sat in and cried my eyes out, I think they need to go. It’s as simple as that. The patience is gone, it’s completely gone. I am not going to put myself through any more mental turmoil. It is time for this to be dealt with properly.”

In response to Yorkshire’s statement, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) promised to conduct a “thorough examination” of how organisations under the ECB’s authority approach complaints regarding racism and other forms of discrimination.

This examination will include speaking to Rafiq and other victims of discrimination in cricket over the next 12 months, culminating in a report with recommendations designed to ensure the sport is “equal and inclusive”.

ICEC chair Cindy Butts said: “We commend Azeem Rafiq for the bravery he has shown in speaking up and shining a light on the racism he said he experienced as a Yorkshire cricketer. We note with concern that the Independent Panel, chaired by Dr. Samir Pathak, concluded that several of the allegations made by Azeem were upheld and that he was the victim of inappropriate behaviour.

“We await a copy of the report but recognise both the pain and the distress of participating in an investigation into these matters. It is critical that Azeem, and others who gave evidence, receive appropriate support and we are seeking assurances that this is the case.

“The commission aims to conduct a thorough examination of how ECB-governed cricketing organisations approach complaints of racism and wider discrimination, and will consider the panel’s report and its implications. We will be reaching out to Azeem and others to speak to us as part of our work to build the body of evidence needed to promote meaningful and sustainable changes to the game.

“Our call for evidence launches in the Autumn 2021 and we are keen to hear from anyone who has experienced discrimination in cricket. We encourage all to take this opportunity to share their experiences and will provide opportunities to individuals to disclose both confidentially and anonymously to the commission. Our work will conclude in the summer of 2022, wherein we will publish our final report with recommendations designed to make cricket a genuinely equal and inclusive sport.”

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