Racisim whistleblower driven out of England

Former English cricketer Azeem Rafiq says he has “been driven out of the country” by “threats and abuse” since “opening his heart out” about racism at Yorkshire.

Azeem Rafiq
Photo: AFP

Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, as he did at the end of 2021, Rafiq said media coverage had fuelled threats to his family.

The 31-year-old spoke of a man “defecating” in his garden as well as abuse received in the street.

“At times I’ve walked down the street fearing for my life,” Rafiq said.

The former Yorkshire spinner told MPs in 2021 that English cricket was “institutionally” racist, having said in 2020 that abuse at the club had left him close to taking his own life.

In October, Rafiq said “a never-ending, co-ordinated campaign of lies” had “caused serious risk” to his family’s safety after he was accused of anti-Semitism and homophobia in a Daily Mail

report.

In his latest appearance at a parliamentary committee hearing, Rafiq said he now receives “24/7 security” from the England and Wales Cricket Board and spoke about how the Yorkshire Post’s coverage of the story “should be held responsible for” the abuse he and his family have experienced since.

“Every time there’s an article it’s created a wave of online abuse,” he said.

“I don’t feel like at any point they [the Yorkshire Post] have had any balance. If I was to pick one reason why all this has happened, unfortunately I would have to say it is the Yorkshire Post’s writing.

“Moving abroad is not an easy thing, especially when you’ve got ill parents.”

The Yorkshire Post told BBC Sport in a statement that it “applied the same rules of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism in seeking to tell all sides of the story”.

The ECB said the evidence heard in the committee hearing “demonstrates why widespread change in cricket is needed” adding that it is “committed” to “lasting cultural change”.

Since Rafiq spoke out there have been changes in Yorkshire’s leadership, with several current and former players and coaches reprimanded.

Rafiq suggested an independent regulator was needed for cricket, saying the ECB had “been involved in the leaking and planting” of stories about him, adding that the governing body “has tried to discredit” his experiences.

He said that “it all feels very superficial at the top” and that “cricket is in denial”, adding: “There is still a group of people out there that feel like cricket is the victim in this.

“The way I have been attacked and abused – why would you speak out?”

Yorkshire Cricket Club
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Earlier in October, Rafiq was among five current and former players reprimanded by the ECB for historical social media posts of a racist nature. Rafiq had previously apologised for a Facebook exchange from 2011 containing anti-Semitic messages.

“I have made mistakes in my life,” he said.

“One of the things that came out was anti-Semitic messages I have made. I did exactly what I have asked others to do, which is to apologise and admit, try and make some learnings as to why I made those comments.”

In a lengthy statement, the Yorkshire Post’s editorial director James Mitchinson said: “The scurrilous and unfounded allegations made to today’s DCMS select committee, referring to myself, The Yorkshire Post and my staff in relation to Mr Rafiq’s experiences of racist bullying whilst playing for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, I reject absolutely.

Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel, who was appointed last year after Roger Hutton resigned over the club’s response to the racism scandal, read out a racist letter the club had received and said he has a “bag full” of similar correspondence sent since Rafiq first spoke out.

Since Lord Patel took over, an independent whistleblowing hotline for victims of discrimination has been opened and structural reforms at the club have meant Headingley can now host internationals again.

But Lord Patel said his job has felt “relentless” since taking over, adding: “I don’t get where Azeem gets the strength to carry on.

The ECB said it was “appalled at the level of racist abuse” received by Lord Patel and that it recognises “the pain this has caused him”.

Lord Patel also said women have been “forgotten” within Yorkshire.

“Our women’s team don’t have their own changing room – that’s going to change,” he added.

-BBC