Yorkshire cricketer at centre of racism storm hits out at ECB report
Azeem Rafiq sparked the investigation (Image: Getty)
The cricketer on the centre of racism allegations within the sport stated the nationwide physique’s response to a subsequent probe into the claims doesn’t go far sufficient.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) yesterday lastly responded to an investigation by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) which discovered discrimination in cricket within the two international locations was “widespread” – including racism, sexism and elitism.
Reacting fully for the first time to the damning report, the ECB said it accepted “most” of the ICEC’s 44 recommendations.
These included the creation of an independent regulator for the game.
But the original whistleblower who sparked the investigation, Azeem Rafiq – who highlighted racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club – said he remained unconvinced by the ECB’s response, adding that he was “disappointed” by its lack of element.
Richard Gould, new ECB Chief Executive Officer (Image: Getty)
“There are a few positives, however I simply anticipated somewhat bit extra, it is fairly irritating,” he said.
While he welcomed some proposed initiatives as “a step in the fitting course”, he questioned whether the actions would “cease the overt racism that I skilled”.
“People are still getting in touch about experiences and really struggling to know where to go and who to trust,” he stated.
“A stronger response right now would have helped change that.”
But the cricket body disagreed, saying it was now heading in the right direction.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould said: “The ICEC report was a large second for the game and a accountability we take extraordinarily significantly, to carry concerning the modifications all of us need to see.
“We suppose we’re on a journey to attempt to change historical past by way of what cricket seems like and can seem like.”
One of the recommendations the report made when it was first published in June was for the ECB to issue an unreserved as public apology for its failings, which chairman Richard Thompson did immediately.
Today, he reiterated this, saying: “I need to double down on our apology to these we have now let down and discriminated in opposition to.
“Cricket hasn’t bought it proper up to now, however this is a chance to maneuver ahead collectively. I’d urge everybody to now come collectively, to place their vitality and energy into delivering these actions, and to play their half in guaranteeing cricket turns into England and Wales’ most inclusive crew sport.”
To address gender equality, the ECB said it would now invest £25million a year above the revenue it receives from the women’s game into growing women’s and girls’ cricket at all levels until at least 2028 – which comes after the ECB announced in August that England Women will earn the same match fees as the men’s side.
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England men’s Test captain Ben Stokes to give evidence (Image: Getty)
The investigation into cricket was announced by the ECB in March 2021 in the wake of global movements such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too. It opened an online call for evidence in November of that year, receiving 4,156 responses. In March 2022, a call for written evidence resulted in more than 150 responses.
Among those to give evidence include England Test captain Ben Stokes, former captain Joe Root, World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan, women’s captain Heather Knight, and Rafiq – the former Yorkshire player and racism whistleblower.
He had accused the Yorkshire club of widespread racism, naming a number of ex-players including the former England captain Michael Vaughan.
Vaughan later denied the allegations.
But the fallout led to massive changes within Yorkshire CCC and sparked the nationwide investigation into the sport.
Michael Vaughan denied allegations (Image: Getty)
Despite Rafiq’s reservations about the ECB’s response to the findings yesterday, others felt that cricket in England and Wales was now back on the right path.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali said: “The ECB have been trying for a while but probably haven’t got it right but now, finally, they’ve got it right with the projects they are starting to invest in and things like that.
“It’s a great opportunity for more people and more diverse people and it’s exactly what we want in this country, that sport and cricket is for everybody.”
And Yorkshire chief govt Stephen Vaughan: “We are optimistic that we can continue on our journey to bring about real and lasting change, and whilst there is still a long way to go and much to be done we are committed to our mission and will work with the ECB to do everything we can to learn from the past and use our hard-earned experience to help support other clubs on the journey to improving standards across the game and making cricket a sport for everyone.”