Rafiq files legal claim over race allegations

FORMER Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq has filed a legal complaint against the club, claiming discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race.

The 29-year-old, who played professionally for the county in two spells between 2008 and 2018, is also claiming victimisation and detriment as a result of his efforts to address racism at the club.

Rafiq (pictured) spoke out in August, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, and Yorkshire commissioned an investigation into his allegations.

He said: ‘Those who have, like me, been on the receiving end of racism and discrimination will understand how hard it is to open up about the pain and suffering it causes.

‘I feel a sense of relief to finally speak about it and that my healing process can begin. I hope this claim will give me the closure I need and that the recommendations from the tribunal will help bring about change for our future generations in cricket.’

The law firm representing Rafiq, Chadwick Lawrence, said the claim – which has gone to the Leeds Employment Tribunal – sets out the ‘expressly racist dressing-room banter’ Rafiq and other non-white players experienced.

This included the use of terms such as ‘P**i’, ‘elephant washer’, and telling such players to ‘go back where you came from’, the firm said.

The claim states Rafiq was also referred to as ‘ Raffa the Kaffir’ while there were attempts to enforce a drinking culture on Pakistani players or players of Pakistani ethnicity.

It is also claimed he was denied opportunities afforded to white players, there was a lack of pastoral care offered by the club after his son was stillborn and that the county ignored his complaints of racism and victimisation throughout 2018 – resulting in him suffering severe mental health issues, including depression and contemplating suicide.

Yorkshire said in a statement: ‘Racism has no place in our society or in our sport. We have taken the allegations made extremely seriously, launching a thorough, independent investigation and now await the results and recommendations.

‘This is an important investigation for the club and a distressing time for all involved but with this process under way, it would be inappropriate for us to go into further detail on any ongoing legal matters at this stage.’