Tearful Azeem Rafiq tells MPs of ‘pain’ at ‘constant use of word P***’ - as it happened
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Azeem Rafiq opened his account of experiencing constant racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club by telling a DCMS committee that he was regularly referred to as a “P***” and detailing several specific instances where he had suffered indignity and “humiliation” at the hands of those at the club.
Yorkshire has been widely criticised over the racism scandal, which saw chairman Roger Hutton resign earlier in November and several directors later follow suit.
Rafiq told the DCMS he was treated in an “inhuman” manner following the stillbirth of his son. He also recounted an instance of wine forced down his throat by a Yorkshire player when he was only 15-years-old even though he was Muslim.
Tom Harrison, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and its chair Barry O’Brien are currently appearing before the committee as they answer questions surrounding their part in the scandal.
ECB is fit for purpose Harrison says
Tom Harrison said the ECB is “fit for purpose” after questioning by Julia Elliot MP. He added that the ECB is learning lessons.
“I think we’ve got a long way to go to fulfill our ambition to make cricket a game for everyone,” Harrison said. He added: “Since I’ve done this job I’ve tried to ensure this game provides opportunities to people from all different backgrounds to take part in this game.”
Cricket representation evidence isn’t ‘all bad’ Harrison says
Tom Harrison said he doesn’t believe the evidence is “all bad” regarding diversity and representation.
“We’ve got signs in different parts of the country where there are good elements of best practice here,” he said.
Harrison said there is work to do to address a lack of representation.
Tom Harrison said the ECB needs to look into dressing room culture
Harrison said he first heard of the use of the name Kevin as a racial slur in the report about Yorkshire cricket club.
Handling of the report indicates ‘institutional racism’ in Yorkshire cricket club Harrison says
Harrison said he was not aware of the changes to the terms of reference of the Yorkshire CC report which allowed the club to make recommendations rather than investigators.
Harrison added that the handling of the report indicates there are “certain issues around institutional racism.”
'We're really sorry'
When asked what he would say to members of the public whose view of cricket might now be on the "floor", Harrison says " please understand we're really sorry".
He says ECB has "let down" people who may have been attempting to engage with the sport.
"We are going to fix this and we are going to fix it quickly," he adds.
ECB could use major events as leverage against teams to follow anti-discrimination code
In the final question of the session, Harrison is asked if the ECB could use the holding of major cricket events at clubs as leverage to incentivise county teams to adhere to anti-discrimination codes.
"Categorically yes," he replies. He adds that sanctions and other disciplinary measures are on the table.
Greaves Trust relationship to be looked at in Yorkshire governance review
Before closing the session, committee chair Julian Knight asks Harrison about the Greaves Trust and its relationship with Yorkshire.
He says "according to Mr Hutton, they were a roadblock to reform of the board and changes at Yorkshire".
He asks Harrison what the ECB plans to do about the relationship, which he describes as "desperately unhealthy" for the game.
Harrison responds by saying one of the sanctions handed down to Yorkshire was that it must undergo a "governance review".
"I think all of that will get caught up in that governance review," he says.
The committee has now finished hearing evidence from senior figures in cricket on racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the sport more broadly.
Earlier, a tearful Azeem Rafiq, who used to play for Yorkshire, told the committee that he was regularly referred to as a “P***” and detailed several specific instances where he had suffered indignity and “humiliation” at the hands of those at the club.'
My colleague Karl Matchett has the full report below:
Azeem Rafiq details racist abuse suffered with Yorkshire in DCMS committee meeting
A shocking recount of events
Somerset CCC issues statement saying ‘there is no place for racism' in cricket
Somerset County Cricket has said there is “no place for racism” at its club after today’s events in parliament.
The club added in a statement: “We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of behaviour which is anything other than inclusive for all, regardless of gender, race, sexuality or any other characteristic.
“All of the staff across the County Club and the Cricket Foundation have been reminded of how to raise an issue or complaint through official channels and will be fully supported should they wish to do so. Any case reported will be thoroughly investigated as it is important that we learn lessons from the past and we welcome any information on incidents that may have occurred to help us do so.
“We are listening.
“All of us as individuals have a responsibility to continue to educate ourselves to be better on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion and the Club has already started a programme designed to increase awareness amongst our Leadership Group and with our partners in the Foundation, the Club will deliver a comprehensive training programme for new and existing staff in 2022 and beyond.”
Watch: Tearful Azeem Rafiq tells MPs of ‘inhuman’ treatment by Yorkshire cricket club
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