Yorkshire uphold Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of racism

The sub-committee appointed by Yorkshire board to probe into the allegations of racism made by former player Azeem Rafiq has concluded that the spinner was indeed a victim of “inappropriate behaviour” during his time at the club between 2008 and 2018.

Rafiq had claimed that he contemplated suicide during his time with the county owing to racism. He alleged that he suffered direct discrimination and harassment. Accusing Yorkshire of being institutionally racist, the 29-year-old said his plea wasn’t heeded by the club.

The independent investigation into the matter was conducted by international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, while an independent panel chaired by Dr Samir Pathak, a trustee of the MCC Foundation and member of the MCC Cricket Committee, was also appointed to oversee the integrity of the process, make its own findings and propose recommendations to the club as to future actions.

The summary of the investigation or its final report is yet to be made public by Yorkshire, but the club has acknowledged in a press statement that several allegations levelled by the former spinner were found legitimate as the panel conducted several interviews since their investigation commenced. The panel has also concluded that the club “failed to implement its policies and procedures in relation to these serious issues”.

Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton admitted the club should have done more to support the player, who had two spells at the county between 2008 and 2014 and then 2016 to 2018. “I would like to acknowledge Azeem’s courage in raising these issues, and his participation in the investigation, which I understand must have been very difficult,” Hutton said in a statement.