Almost 50 calls to cricket club whistleblower hotline
YORKSHIRE County Cricket Club have received almost 50 calls to its whistleblowing hotline, which was established as part of “seismic changes” at the Headingley side.
The White Roses have come under fierce criticism in recent months after it was found that former captain Azeem Rafiq was the subject of racist abuse, something which the club initially brushed off as “banter”.
Several high-profile names have since left, including chairman Roger Hutton, director of cricket Martyn Moxon and head coach Andrew Gale.
Yorkshire set up a whistleblowing hotline in light of the scandal, allowing people to lodge formal complaints against the club if they felt they had been victims of discrimination or harassment.
In the first week, 36 people got in touch with the anti-discrimination hotline.
Since the sudden rush of calls in mid-November, fewer people have been in touch. However, the club has revealed 45 people have contacted the hotline with complaints related to the club’s investigation into discrimination and harassment. Of the 45 complaints, 42 have been or will “shortly” be invited for an interview with independent assessors.
A further 24 complaints have been made which fall outside the remit of the investigation.
Nine discrimination complaints were related to incidents that do not apply to YCCC, while a further 15 people offered opinions or sales and marketing pitches.
Complaints will be subject to an investigation and further witnesses will be sought.
The hotline and subsequent investigation are being led by Mohinderpal Sethi QC from Littleton Chambers, who recently conducted an independent investigation for British Gymnastics into complaints brought by Olympians.
Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, chairman of Yorkshire, said: “I would like to personally thank all of those that have come forward via the hotline. Without their experiences, we cannot hope to fully understand the situation.
“We have made strong progress as a Club but we know we are on a journey that is far from over. It is through the bravery of those who come forward that we can continue to learn and push for change.”
Anyone who wishes to contact the hotline should email yorkshireccc@whistleblowerhot line.co.uk.