Yorkshire’s county cricket team apologizes to Azeem Rafiq, who was ‘victim of inappropriate behaviour’

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Yorkshire apologise to former player Azeem Rafiq after investigation into racism allegations
  • Rafiq was Yorkshire’s youngest-ever captain when he led the team in a T20 match in 2012
  • We would like to express our profound apologies, Yorkshire said in a statement

Yorkshire County Cricket Club apologized to former off-spinner Azeem Rafiq on Thursday after an investigation into allegations of racism found he was ‘the victim of inappropriate behavior.’

Azeem Rafiq, a former England U-19 captain, said in interviews last year that as a Muslim he was made to feel like an “outsider” during his time at Yorkshire from 2008-17 and that he was close to taking his own life.

Rafiq was Yorkshire’s youngest-ever captain when he led the team in a T20 match in 2012.

Rafiq filed a legal complaint in December 2020 claiming to have suffered direct discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race.

The 30-year-old previously stated the severe mental health issues he suffered as a result of his treatment by the club included depression and contemplating suicide.

“Several of the allegations made by Azeem were upheld and that sadly, historically, Azeem was the victim of inappropriate behaviour,” Yorkshire said in a statement.

Rafiq responded by questioning the use of “inappropriate behaviour” in the club’s statement rather than racism.

‘Inappropriate behaviour’ are you sure about that @YorkshireCCC?” Rafiq posted on his official Twitter account.

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.

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