Rafiq racism fall-out leaves county in cold

WHAT else could they do? Embarrassed. Ashamed. Angry and disgusted that one of the oldest and most storied clubs in English cricket still did not get it, the ECB finally showed the leadership that has been severely lacking at Yorkshire CCC by taking away the thing that they love most… cricket.

The place where Ben Stokes wrote a new Ashes chapter in the hearts of a nation in 2019 will no longer be an international venue until it can get its house in order.

Even if it does clean up and make the changes it desperately needs to, that may not be enough for them to welcome New Zealand in 2022 or the Aussies in 2023.

The ECB statement made it clear that Yorkshire’s approach to Azeem Rafiq and his complaints of racism and bullying have been a disgrace.

When you claim that cricket is a game for all, as the ECB do on a regular basis, it means everyone is welcome and no one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, sex or ability.

It means that calling someone a ‘P***’ is inexcusable no matter the context – and it means Yorkshire will not get any international cricket for the foreseeable future.

The ECB said: “It is clear to the board that YCCC’s handling of the issues raised by Azeem Rafiq is wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game. The ECB find this matter abhorrent and against the spirit of cricket and its values.

“The ECB board agreed that sanctions, including, but not limited to, financial and future major match allocations, may be considered at the conclusion of our investigations. “In the meantime, YCCC are suspended from hosting international or major matches until it has clearly demonstrated it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, ECB member and first-class county.”

The ECB board met in an emergency meeting yesterday and the Yorkshire board are due to do the same this morning.

They may act swiftly. Chairman Roger Hutton, above, may be under pressure to resign, which could pave the way for former chairman and recent ECB chairman Colin Graves to return to the board.

Chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon could also come under threat.