Rafiq says ex-Yorkshire cricket boss should be blocked from takeover

Former cricketer Azeem Rafiq has told Sky News that Colin Graves should not be allowed to run Yorkshire after showing “no contrition” over the racism scandal.

Institutional racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club was exposed by Rafiq, who played for them in two spells between 2008 and 2018.

Graves, who was Yorkshire chairman between 2012 and 2015, is leading a consortium trying to take over the indebted county – which lost sponsors over the scandal.

Yorkshire was docked points and fined last year by an independent commission appointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board after admitting to failing to four charges including over a failure to address and take adequate action against racist and discriminatory language.

But Graves said in June that he never witnessed any racism at Yorkshire and dismissed concerns saying: “There could have been a lot of banter.”

According to Rafiq, those comments make him unsuitable to be approved to return leading Yorkshire.

Rafiq told Sky News: “We’re talking about a person that firstly has shown no contrition to this day and has gone above and beyond to continue the harm.”

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There was no response from Graves through a representative.

Rafiq said: “It just feels like back to square one and nothing really has changed.

“There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes which makes you really doubt whether cricket will ever become a place where people of colour, people from ethnic minorities can ever feel safe.”

On Monday morning Sporting Equals, a charity which promotes ethnic diversity across the sport and physical activity sector, published an open letter sent to the ECB, sports minister Stuart Andrew, and county cricket clubs and their sponsors, in which they expressed dismay at a prospective return for Graves and called for further reforms in the game.

‘Return would undermine progress’

“The potential reinstatement of Colin Graves as chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club would undermine the progress made,” Sporting Equals wrote.

“His reinstatement would send a message that emboldens those who perpetuate the myth that racism is simply banter, that it is enough to pay lip service to policies and procedures.”

The England Cricket Board (ECB) declined to comment.

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Yorkshire members would have to approve a takeover and they have to be given 21 days’ notice.

Yorkshire said in a statement to Sky News: “Yorkshire County Cricket Club and agents acting on our behalf have met with over 350 interested parties to work through the validity of each and every genuine offer to refinance the club.

“No stone has been left unturned and a thorough and rigorous process has been conducted by the board to ensure the club stays operational for the benefit of its members, creditors and employees. We refute any assertion to the contrary.”

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: “Cricket must be open to everyone and the government has consistently called for action to address the culture at Yorkshire County Cricket Club following the behaviour at the County.

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“Following the publication of Cindy Butt’s report into equality in cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board set out plans to deliver clear and sustained reform.

“It is vital the ECB deliver on their commitments, and that Yorkshire County Cricket Club continues to make the culture change needed.”

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