LONDON - Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq fought back tears as he told British lawmakers today that he had lost his career to racism − detailing widespread discrimination within the English game − in a compelling testimony.
An independent report found the Pakistan-born player was a victim of “racial harassment and bullying” while playing for the county club but said it would not discipline anybody − a decision greeted with widespread disbelief.
The fallout for Yorkshire over the scandal has been devastating − with sponsors making a mass exodus, resignations from top administrators, the suspension of a coach and the club barred from hosting lucrative international matches.
Today’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing offered Azeem the chance to speak with the protection of parliamentary privilege − a freedom that protects him from legal action, and which he used to recount how he felt “isolated and humiliated”.
“Me and other people from an Asian background... there were comments such as ‘you’ll sit over there near the toilets’, ‘elephant-washers’,”: the 30-year-old Azeem said.
“The word ‘Paki’ was used constantly. And there just seemed to be an acceptance in the institution from the leaders and no one ever stamped it out.”
The off spinner, who had dreamed of playing for England, said cricket was blighted by institutional racism “up and down the country”.
Azeem, who is a Muslim, also recounted an experience of being “pinned down” and forced to drink alcohol at the age of 15 when he was at his local cricket club.
And in a highly emotional segment of his evidence, which lasted nearly 100 minutes, he spoke of the “inhuman” treatment by Yorkshire when his son was still-born in 2017.
“They weren’t really bothered about the fact that I was at training one day and I get a phone call to say there’s no heartbeat,” he said, his voice cracking.
Azeem, who had two spells at Yorkshire, said: “Did I lose my career to racism? Yes, I did.”
He also mentioned former teammates, including ex-England internationals Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan and Gary Balance − the latter still at Yorkshire − had used racial slurs towards him.
“‘Kevin’ was something Gary used to describe anyone of colour in a very derogatory manner,” he said.
“It was an open secret in the England dressing room.”
Azeem, who said he had refused to sign a confidentiality form and take a pay-off from Yorkshire, added 2005 Ashes winner Matthew had apologised to him for his comments.
He also said he found it “hurtful” that England Test captain Joe Root, who has spent his career at Yorkshire, had never witnessed anything of a racist nature at the club.
“Rooty is a good man. He never engaged in racist language,” Azeem said.
“I found it hurtful because Rooty was Gary (Ballance)’s housemate and had been involved in a lot of the socialising where I was called a ‘Paki’.”
Azeem also said former England batsman and coach David Lloyd had made derogatory remarks about him and Asian cricketers in general, such as ‘getting subs (subscriptions) out of Asian players is like getting blood out of stone’.
David apologised via Twitter today, with the 74-year-old saying of his “private” October 2020 comments: “I deeply regret my actions, and I apologise most sincerely to Azeem and to the Asian cricket community for doing this, and for any offence caused.”
On Monday, current England spinner Adil Rashid joined ex-Pakistan Test player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in alleging that former England captain Michael Vaughan had said in front of a group of Yorkshire players of Asian ethnicity in 2009: “Too many of you lot, we need to do something about it.”
Michael has “categorically” denied making the comment.
Asked about Michael, Azeem said: “Michael might not remember it... three of us, Adil, myself and Rana remember it.”
Azeem was scathing in his assessment of diversity initiatives by the England and Wales Cricket Board, saying there were “box-ticking” and “tokenism”.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said cricket authorities must act quickly to stamp out racism.
“Brave testimony from Azeem Rafiq. I commend him for speaking out,” Boris tweeted.
“There is no excuse for racism anywhere in society and we expect England Cricket and Yorkshire County Cricket Club to take immediate action in response to these allegations.”
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison, who faced an intense grilling from the MPs, admitted the organisation had failed Azeem, saying tackling racism would be a priority.
“We will fix it fast,” he said.
“We know the survival of our sport depends on it. We will transform this game very quickly.” – AFP, November 17, 2021
