‘Describing this racism as banter is abhorrent’
YORKSHIRE’S MPs and mayors have weighed in to the racism row at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC), calling for an urgent investigation into the club’s treatment of cricketer Azeem Rafiq.
Metro Mayors Dan Jarvis and Tracy Brabin as well as Labour and Conservative MPs have called for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to urgently investigate.
It follows reports that YCCC attempted to dismiss repeated racist abuse directed at Mr Rafiq as ‘banter.’
The two mayors and 34 MPs have written to the ECB asking for an immediate and comprehensive new investigation into YCCC’s handling of the original allegations, with consequences for both the players responsible, and board members who failed to take action.
South Yorkshire Mayor and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis who coordinated the letter, said: “The disgraceful treatment of Azeem Rafiq has brought Yorkshire County Cricket Club into disrepute. It’s appalling that anyone has to suffer racist abuse in the workplace, and then for that abuse to be repeatedly dismissed as ‘banter’ is utterly unacceptable.”
He said the ECB needed to act urgently to rectify the failures and “eradicate the scourge of racism”.
“Azeem Rafiq has been courageous in speaking out and has my full support. There is no place for racism anywhere,” Mr Jarvis added.
He was backed by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who signed the letter, and said that defending racist slurs as “banter” was “abhorrent”.
“As a county, we often celebrate our strong sporting heritage and love for cricket, however this has shamed Yorkshire Country Cricket Club and I know our communities will stand shoulder to shoulder with Azeem and be utterly embarrassed.” Halifax MP Holly Lynch, who also signed the letter, said the county’s MPs were appalled and added: “For such blatant racism to be disregarded as ‘banter’ points to incredibly serious systemic failures to recognise and root out racism.
“The whole of the county and all of our communities should be able to take pride in the regional cricket team but this sorry episode has undermined that.”
Political pressure has piled on the cricket club, with health secretary Sajid Javid publicly stating “heads should roll” over their response to a report into Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism, and the parliamentary committee for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport calling an evidence session.
It is understood the DCMS committee hearing is set to take place within a fortnight. Yorkshire chair Roger Hutton has already been called to appear and it is understood Rafiq and other board members will also give evidence.
I know our communities will stand shoulder to shoulder with Azeem and be utterly embarrassed
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