Yorkshire Cricket Club settles employment tribunal with Azeem Rafiq
Yorkshire Cricket Club settles employment tribunal with Azeem Rafiq: New chair Lord Kamlesh Patel thanks ‘brave whistle-blower’ for speaking out on ex-stars – insisting ‘racism is NOT banter’ after board’s initial ruling
Lord Patel said the spin bowler was a ‘whistleblower’, ‘should be praised as such’The chairman added that Azeem Rafiq ‘should never have been put through this’The side has been panned for its method over racist claims against Gary BalanceEngland Cricket Board stopped Headingley from hosting England internationalsMeanwhile there was a swift exodus of sponsors with firms like Nike and Tetley’s
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Yorkshire County Cricket club has settled an employment tribunal with Azeem Rafiq after he accused the club of institutional racism and bullying.
New chairman Lord Patel revealed the side had put ‘absolutely no restrictions’ on the agreement and apologised to him.
He said the player was a ‘whistleblower’, ‘should be praised as such’ and ‘should never have been put through this’.
The side has been widely panned for its method over racist allegations against Gary Balance and a number of other players from 2008 to 2018.
The England and Wales Cricket Board suspended Headingley from hosting international matches until it sees considerable changes.
Meanwhile there was a swift exodus of sponsors from Yorkshire, with firms such as Nike and Tetley’s distancing themselves sparking a huge financial hit to the club.
Lord Patel said the spin bowler was a ‘whistleblower’, ‘should be praised as such’ and ‘should never have been put through this’
He said the player (pictured) was a ‘whistleblower’, ‘should be praised as such’ and ‘should never have been put through this’
Former England and Yorkshire players Gary Ballance (L) and Michael Vaughan (R) were named this week as among those accused of racial discrimination by club bowler Azeem Rafiq
Lord Patel said: ‘Absolutely no restrictions have been placed on Azeem on what he can or cannot say about his experiences.
‘The settlement does not involve a non-disclosure agreement.’
He said he was also commissioning a specialist independent review of the county’s processes and procedures on diversity and inclusion.
He said he spoke to the ECB about the restoration of international cricket but Yorkshire would have to ‘address the root causes’ that led to the suspension.
Lord Patel said he had not been fully able to digest Yorkshire’s report into Rafiq’s allegations.
But he added: ‘What I’ve seen so far does feel uncomfortable. It makes me feel the process wasn’t as well completed as it should have been.’
Lord Patel said he would release the report to those who had a ‘legal interest’ rather than simply publish it.
Several advertisers have ripped up their contracts with Yorkshire CCC in the wake of the allegations. The club has already lost around £3million in sponsorship details, while the English Cricket Board suspended club ground Headingley (pictured) from hosting major matches
An anti-racism banner hangs on railings outside Headingley, the home of Yorkshire cricket on November 5, 2021
This would include, he said, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee Julian Knight.
Asked about the future of senior leaders at Yorkshire, including chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon, he said: ‘Leadership is important in any of these circumstances.
‘But I need to look across the system and how people behaved, what made that happen and where we need to go next.’
Lord Patel also praised Rafiq as a ‘whitleblower’ and said he ‘should be praised as such’.
He continued: ‘Azeem is a whistleblower and should be praised as such, he should never have been put through this,’ Patel said at a press conference.
‘We’re sorry for what you and your family have experienced and the way in which we’ve handled this.
‘I thank Azeem for his bravery in speaking out. Let me be clear from the outset, racism or discrimination in any form is not banter.’
Lord Patel’s reference to ‘banter’ came after that term was reportedly used in the county’s report into Rafiq’s allegations.
It was reported a team-mate had repeatedly used the word p*** but the claim was not upheld on the basis it was in the context of friendly exchanges between the two.
Yesterday it emerged Yorkshire was expected to release the report into allegations of racial abuse at the club as early as Wednesday.
The Telegraph reported two other ex-England internationals, who declined to be named, hired legal teams in anticipation of the findings.
England and Yorkshire players Michael Vaughan and Gary Ballance were named last week as among those accused of racial discrimination by Rafiq.
Rafiq, 30, made more than 40 allegations of racial discrimination and bullying by his employer, seven of which have already been upheld by the club’s investigation.
Gary Ballance has already admitted directing racial epithets towards Rafiq and has ‘deep regret’ at calling him a ‘P***’, which was characterised as ‘banter’ in the report.
Vaughan vehemently denied using racial slurs towards his teammate but has already been stood down from his weekly BBC Radio 5 live show.
Several protestors took to the grounds outside Headingley yesterday to demonstrate their disapproval of Yorkshire CCC, including Mohammed Rafiq, Azeem’s father, who touted a ‘racism is not banter’ sign
The allegations made by Rafiq has been disastrous for Yorkshire, whose internal review concluded 10 days ago ‘there is no conduct or action taken by any of its employees, players or executives that warrants disciplinary action’.
Several Government figures, including Sajid Javid, said heads should roll at the club with him saying the ECB may not be ‘fit for purpose’ if swift action is not taken.
Meanwhile, several advertisers ripped up their contracts with Yorkshire CCC, with around £3million in sponsorship lost.
There was also a threat of an estimated £3.5million from international ticket and hospitality sales to follow after the ECB temporarily suspended Headingley.
Those combined figures represent more than 50 per cent of Yorkshire’s projected income for the year.
More of the club’s dirty washing will be laundered in public on November 16 when Yorkshire officials have been called to attend the DCMS select committee hearing.
It will see them face a barrage of questions from MPs, many of whom are seething about the case.
A group of protestors gathered outside Yorkshire’s ground over the weekend to demonstrate their disapproval of the lack of accountability.
Mohammed Rafiq, 63, joined the protestors in support of his son despite clear ill-health, touting a sign which read ‘racism is not banter’.
Dr Abdul Sheikh, 43, gave a speech on the importance of the case for highlighting racism experienced by Asian people in the UK before slipping into the crowd.
‘Azeem Rafiq in my view is a hero. A brave warrior who faced severe adversity. He’s received threats from the far right, criticism from the community for making a stand but I’m immensely proud of him,’ said Sheikh.
‘If I’m not here, then what’s the point? It’d all be in vain for what Azeem has fought for, so it’s to show solidarity and support to him and his family.
‘I fought racism all my life: the P-word, etc. I had to speak in front of people to show racism is not casual banter.
‘It has major effects on people’s life in the world of work. It can already be hard for ethnic minorities in this country, never mind if they face xenophobia and racism.’
Former Yorkshire Cricket Foundation employee Taj Butt, 63, also declared his support for Rafiq.
He said: ‘It just shows how strong the feeling in the community is that we are prepared to turn out and voice our anger at the club.
‘It’s been 15 months since Azeem made the complaint and the club have been looking to sweep it under the carpet.
‘You usually go to Headingley to watch county or international cricket, which brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. But coming here having to demonstrate an injustice doesn’t seem right.’
