Yorks tribunal chaos

YORKSHIRE have been served with two more employment tribunal claims as they prepare for legal cases that could cost the crisis club millions.

Former bowling coach Richard Pyrah and strength and conditioning coach Ian Fisher have been added to a preliminary hearing in Leeds on May 6 already incorporating four of their ex-colleagues.

All six will be heard together as their cases are based on the same set of facts.

They were among the 16 members of staff sacked in early December last year as part of a rebuild at Headingley by acting chair Lord Kamlesh Patel following Azeem Rafiq’s accusations of institutional racism at the club.

The proceedings, to be heard in private at Leeds Employment Tribunal, will begin the wrongful dismissal claims for which Patel fears he will be held personally liable.

Last week, he told the ECB that without ‘firm, formal support… I am left wide open legally to be sued. I cannot carry on in this position.’

Those who lost their jobs pre-Christmas last year are understood to be seeking damages in the High Court, fearful that the mass cull of personnel has tarnished reputations by association and potentially left them unable to work in the sport again. The Mail On Sunday understands Yorkshire have already settled with two other former staff members for a combined sum of between £500,000-£750,000.

Meanwhile, the latest escalation of the civil war crippling Yorkshire, which began with Patel’s chairmanship being dubbed invalid by his predecessor Robin Smith because of procedural failings by the club, threatens to block the reforms needed for England matches to return to Headingley.

Demands made by the governing body in exchange for international cricket remaining as scheduled this summer include the formal acceptance of Patel as chairman. Yorkshire members are due to vote on March 31.