Yorkshire barred from hosting the top matches
UNDER-FIRE Yorkshire have been suspended from hosting internationals and other major matches as the England & Wales Cricket Board criticised the club’s “wholly unacceptable” handling of Azeem Rafiq’s racism claims.
On the day when more sponsors deserted the beleaguered club, the ECB board convened to discuss what has fast become an escalating crisis and admitted the “abhorrent” matter is “causing serious damage” to the reputation of the game.
An ECB statement read: “As a governing body with duties to act for all in cricket, the ECB board reaffirmed its commitment to taking decisions in the best interests of the whole game. It also 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, Yorkshire CCC are suspended from hosting international or major matches until it has clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, ECB member and first-class county.”
The statement added: “There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination in cricket and where it is found, swift action must be taken. This matter must be dealt with robustly if the sport is to demonstrate its commitment to truly being a game for everyone.
“The ECB will therefore hold YCCC to account in relation to their handling of the matter. Given recent events, it is clear there are serious questions regarding the governance and management.”
In 2022, Yorkshire are due to hold the third of three Tests against New Zealand, starting on June 23, as well as a one-day international against South Africa on July 24.
Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, meanwhile, who has admitted to using a “racial slur” against his exteam-mate has been “suspended indefinitely” from England selection.
Rafiq himself has revealed he is still receiving abuse for speaking out about the racism and bullying he suffered over two spells at Yorkshire and said: “We wonder why people don’t come forward.”
Ballance claimed in a lengthy statement he had once enjoyed a deep friendship with Rafiq, but that both men “said things privately to each other which were not acceptable” and offered remorse for his part of those exchanges.
Rafiq, who will appear before MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and
Sport (DCMS) committee later this month, said in a tweet: “I wanted to stress this is not really about the words of certain individuals.
“This is about institutional racism and abject failures to act by numerous leaders at Yorkshire CCC and in the wider game. The sport I love and my club desperately need reform and cultural change.”
Anchor Butter, Emerald Group Publishing, Yorkshire Tea, Tetley’s Bitter and Harrogate Spring Water have all revealed they are cutting sponsorship ties with the club.
■ Defending champions West Indies have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup after a 20-run defeat by already-eliminated Sri Lanka.
Chasing 190 to win, West Indies finished on 169 for eight, with Shimron Hetmyer top-scoring with 81 not out.
Australia beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in yesterday’s first game. They will likely qualify if they beat West Indies tomorrow, but South Africa could progress if they beat England and overtake their opponents or Australia on net run-rate.