Yorkshire cricketer says ‘racism’ left him close to suicide, club probes claim

London: Yorkshire have vowed to install a culture of zero tolerance to prejudice after being accused of “institutional racism” by former player Azeem Rafiq, who said his experiences at the English club left him close to suicide.

The 29-year-old former England youth captain quit cricket after leaving Yorkshire in 2018.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan-born spinner Rafiq said he felt, as a Muslim, he was made to feel like an “outsider”.

“I know how close I was to committing suicide during my time at Yorkshire,” said Rafiq who made his first-class debut for Yorkshire in 2009.

“I was living my family’s dream as a professional cricketer, but inside I was dying. I was dreading going to work. I was in pain every day.

“There were times I did things to try and fit in that, as a Muslim, I now look back on and regret. I’m not proud of it at all.

“But as soon as I stopped trying to fit in, I was an outsider.” He added: “It’s obvious to anyone who cares that there’s a problem. Do I think there is institutional racism? It’s at its peak in my opinion. It’s worse than it’s ever been.” In response to Rafiq’s allegations, Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton pledged to review the county’s policies and culture.

“We are in the process of finalising the structure of this investigation and we will be approaching impartial external parties to be part of the review to ensure complete transparency,” Hutton said.

“We fully acknowledge that just as in many walks of life, sport, including cricket and Yorkshire as a club, must do better to fully promote a culture of zero tolerance to racism or any form of prejudice.

“We accepted a long time ago that change was needed at Headingley to improve diversity, especially in terms of racial inclusivity.

“We have tried to make contact with Azeem this week to discuss his experiences, and will make further contact in the weeks ahead as it’s important that we hear his grievances in as much detail as possible.” Rafiq admitted his claims could damage his chances of returning to cricket.

“Yorkshire don’t want to listen and they don’t want to change,” he said.

“And part of the reason for that is the people who were involved in the incidents I’m talking about are still at the club. They just want to sweep it under the carpet.

“But not this time. Not again. I know what I’m doing here. I know that by speaking out I’m damaging my chances of working in the game again.”

England captain Eoin Morgan said he was surprised at Rafiq’s comments, particularly because of the diverse nature of the team he led to the Cricket World Cup title last year.

England’s team included two players - Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid - with Pakistani heritage, as well as Barbados-born paceman Jofra Archer and South Africa-born opener Jason Roy. Morgan himself was born in Ireland.

“The ECB has been active in trying to rectify and become more diverse, and create equal opportunity for everybody,” Morgan said in a video call ahead of England’s Twenty20 match against Australia on Friday.

“Given the squad of players we have and the guys of different cultures, backgrounds, races, the diverse nature of it really does epitomize where English cricket is at.

“I think travelling around during last year’s World Cup and going to 10 different grounds around the country, watching the supporters flood in of all different races, all following England, was great. It made us all feel very proud.”

Morgan said English cricket needed to get better at allowing players from “a diverse background” to tell their story more.

“It is our continued ambition to try and create more sustainable awareness around our fight against racism and the creation of equal opportunity, and equality in sport is important to drive that forward, because it shouldn’t exist in society,” he said.

Agencies