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Azeem Rafiq: Ex-Yorkshire player makes first statement in racism inquiry

Azeem Rafiq pulls through mid-wicketGetty Images

Azeem Rafiq says he has spoken out because he does not want kids to have to go through what he experienced

By Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport

Warning: This report contains offensive language.

Azeem Rafiq said he hoped to bring about "meaningful change" after giving his first statement to the inquiry into alleged "institutional racism" at Yorkshire.

In September, former spinner Rafiq, 29, said he felt he was made to feel like an "outsider" as a Muslim at the club.

Yorkshire launched a "formal investigation" into the claims, which were detailed at an inquiry on Friday.

Rafiq said the experiences at his former club left him close to taking his own life.

In a statement, Yorkshire told BBC Sport: "Racism has no place in our society or in cricket and we are hopeful that the outcome of this investigation and the recommendations of the will drive positive progress which can be shared by all."

Rafiq issued a press release to coincide with the inquiry, detailing the key points of his statement.

In it he said: "I have spoken out about the racism I faced because I don't want kids to go through what I did.

"I want to see kids starting off their journey in cricket in a culture of acceptance and respect, where they are judged on their talent and not on their culture and identity. I hope that the investigation will result in meaningful change at the club and in the sport.

"I am grateful for the outpouring of and words of encouragement I have received, in particular from parents who have shared their concerns about how their kids have been treated and who want to see change."

Rafiq made a number of allegations about the club, including:

  • Different treatment of himself and his Asian team-mates compared to other team-mates. He said this was especially the case in disciplinary matters, coaching and development , and in pastoral care offered by Yorkshire after Rafiq's son was still-born.

  • Development pathways and for young Asian players coming through the club. Rafiq said there was an email that reflected "broader conversations and culture at the club" which contained the p-word. He said this email contained the sentence "only a few **** are OK to go through. We cannot have too many of them".

  • Racist comments from team-mates as "banter". Rafiq said team-mates used racist language about his Pakistani heritage and also referred to people with beards by asking, "is that your uncle">