Cricketer Rafiq: I’m ashamed of anti-Semitic jibe
Racism whistleblower is ‘angry at self’
FORMER cricketer Azeem Rafiq yesterday apologised for sending anti-Semitic messages to a fellow player a decade ago.
The ex-Yorkshire spin bowler, 30, rocked the sport with wideranging allegations of racism at an evidence session before MPs on Tuesday.
He named a number of high-profile figures to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee.
But he yesterday apologised after his exchange with former Warwickshire and Leicestershire player Ateeq Javid was uncovered.
It shows Rafiq making offensive remarks about an unidentified Jewish person in 2011.
He and Javid appeared to joke about another Asian cricketer not paying a dinner bill.
Rafiq wrote: “Hahaha he is a Jew. Probs go after my 2nds again.” He added: “How
wrong is that? Only Jews do that sort of sh**.”
Rafiq said yesterday: “I have gone back to check my account and it is me. I have absolutely no excuses. “I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence. I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe I am a different person today. “I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended.” Following Rafiq’s committee appearance, sports minister Nigel Huddleston said the Government had held “frank” conversations with the England and Wales Cricket Board. He claimed ECB chief Tom Harrison had promised “with every fibre of his being” that he would tackle racism in the sport. He added: “If they fail to act appropriately we will not hesitate to intervene further.”