Azeem Rafiq still under attack as Yorkshire CCC crisis deepens

Azeem Rafiq says he is still being subjected to “personal attacks” over his allegations of racism and bullying during his two spells at Yorkshire.
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Gary Ballance admits racial slur against Azeem Rafiq and apologises

The handling of the county’s investigation into his allegations has been heavily criticised within the sport and by politicians, with the club’s hierarchy having been called to appear before a parliamentary committee on November 16.

On Wednesday night Gary Ballance admitted he had used a racial slur towards Rafiq when they were team-mates at Yorkshire.

Azeem Rafiq in his Yorkshire playing days (Picture: SWPix.com)Azeem Rafiq in his Yorkshire playing days (Picture: SWPix.com)
Azeem Rafiq in his Yorkshire playing days (Picture: SWPix.com)
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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 says despite the week’s events, criticism is still coming his way.

He tweeted on Thursday: “We wonder why people don’t come forward. Even after everything that is out there, there seems to be personal attacks coming. What a sad state of affairs.”

In response to Ballance’s statement, Rafiq tweeted on Thursday morning: “I’m not intending to say very much until the select committee hearing later this month. However, I wanted to stress this is not really about the words of certain individuals.

Yorkshire's Azeem Rafiq (second left) is congratulated by Adam Lyth (L), Gary Ballance (R) and Tim Bresnan (second right) in a game in 2016 (Picture: SWPix.com)Yorkshire's Azeem Rafiq (second left) is congratulated by Adam Lyth (L), Gary Ballance (R) and Tim Bresnan (second right) in a game in 2016 (Picture: SWPix.com)
Yorkshire's Azeem Rafiq (second left) is congratulated by Adam Lyth (L), Gary Ballance (R) and Tim Bresnan (second right) in a game in 2016 (Picture: SWPix.com)
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“This is about institutional racism and abject failures to act by numerous leaders at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and in the wider game. The sport I love and my club desperately need reform and cultural change.”

Rafiq is set to appear in front of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s select committee in an evidence session on November 16, and could offer up his fullest and most damning account yet given the presence of parliamentary privilege.

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