Yorkshire takes no action on Azeem Rafiq racial abuse issue, devastated cricketer wants ECB to step up

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, in a shocking statement, said that no current employee or player could be held responsible for seven counts of racial abuse met to its former captain Azeem Rafiq. 

This statement comes after the club apologised to Rafiq in August this year, confirming that the player was indeed subjected to inappropriate behaviour. But not holding anyone responsible for the crime is one thing that most of the people and the player himself are unable to digest. 

In its official statement, the Yorkshire administration mentioned that it has sent the full copy of the report to England and Wales Cricket Board to support in board’s independent enquiry into the matter. 

It further said that after the independent committee, which comprised of seven members and investigated the matter for a year after Rafiq raised the issue in early 2020, the club also carried out its own investigation. 

“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,” it said. 

“None of this diminishes the importance of the findings or that fact that there is much the Club can learn from the Report. It was important for Azeem to raise the issues and without him doing so we would not have the Panel’s recommendations which are an important part of the Clubs continuing journey,” the statement further added. 

Naturally, Rafiq was shaken by the out of the blue announcement by the club to not hold anyone responsible for a crime that they admitted was committed. In a series of Tweets, the former county cricketer and England U-19 captain let his anger out. 

"Wow, just when you think this club couldn't get more embarrassing, you find a way," Rafiq tweeted. 

"Still awaiting the FULL report. Thanks for mentioning the people that have provided your PROTECTION & give green light to RACISM. Interesting timing again,” he said n another tweet, trying to implicate the fact that half the enquiry committee members were Asian and still they couldn’t find anybody guilty of the racism that they themselves admitted happened. 

Rafeeq’s spokesman said that it was time that Yorkshire board members did at least something good and resigned voluntarily for the crimes they have committed. 

"It is inconceivable that there are no current employees who should not have been disciplined for their conduct. Yorkshire's failures continue to mount up and it is time that board members - for once - do the decent thing and resign,” said the spokesperson. 

The ECB acknowledged that they have received the full report from Yorkshire and are going to investigate the matter thoroughly. 

"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,” the board said.