Azeem Rafiq predicts that “hundreds of people” can share experiences of racism

Rory Dollard

Achim Rafik believes that “hundreds and thousands” of cricketers can follow his example, share their experience of racism in the game, and warn Yorkshire that they cannot move forward until Andrew Gale and Martin Moxon leave the club. .

Rafik shocked the sport with a damn parliamentary appearance before the Special Committee on Numbers, Culture, Media and Sports on Tuesday, during which he gave a detailed overview of his own account of racial harassment and discrimination.

He made several new allegations against prominent personalities, including former England players Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hogard and Alex Hales, and hoped he would attract the spotlight Encourage others to speak in groups.

He told Sky Sports News: “I think you might get hundreds of thousands. I do think this will be a “gateway” where many victims of abuse will come forward.”

Many people have told their stories through the media, including Essex players Zoheb Sharif and Maurice Chambers in recent days, and now there are many less public forums.

Yorkshire has set up a whistleblowing hotline, the England and Wales Cricket Commission and the Professional Cricket Players Association have launched a joint whistleblowing service, and the Independent Cricket Fairness Commission has received more than 1,000 calls since its public call for information.

Former white rose spinner Rafik burst into tears while telling members of Congress how he struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. He said he felt an element of “closed” after showing up, but for the people he accused It may not be the case.

After the performance of former chairman Roger Hutton and CEO Mark Arthur on the DCMS committee was described by Rafic as “very weak”, he now hopes that more people will leave in Yorkshire .

Rafik particularly believes that the positions of coach Gail, who has been suspended due to historical tweets, and Mokson, the head of cricket who left due to stress-related illnesses, are untenable.

Both played an important role in his written and oral statements. Gail was accused of continuing racial abuse, and Moxon was accused of systematic bullying, including an outbreak on the first day after Rafik’s son returned from stillbirth.

“I don’t think Martin and Andrew can (continue),” Rafik said. “I think it is impossible for Yorkshire to move forward with them there because they are fully aware of their role in the institution.”

Neither of them had the opportunity to provide their own evidence in Westminster, Rafik concluded: “They had the opportunity to come here (on Tuesday) under the privilege of Parliament to express their views on the story, but they did not.”

When asked if the duo or Ballance had contacted to apologize, Rafik added: “No, I don’t want them to do this. I still don’t think any of them think they have done anything wrong. This shows what they are.”

Earlier this month, Ballance admitted to using “racial slander” against Rafiq. He said that former test batters often used phrases including “P***” and “Raffa the Kaffir” and called them derogatory terms. All people of color are “Kevin”.

However, Rafik said to the sky that if Ballance “correctly apologized” and was “given some kind of responsibility”, he might still play a role in the new era of Yorkshire.

Former England batsman, head coach and sky commentator David Lloyd did answer the phone after learning that he had privately exchanged disparaging comments about Rafik.

“David Lloyd apologized to me personally,” Rafik told BBC Sports.

“I told him that this was what I wanted, and I told him it hurt me. He was completely out of order and he didn’t even recognize me. He apologized for that, and I accept his apology.”

Through Twitter, Bresnan “unreservedly” apologized for “any role I played in contributing to the experience of Azeem Rafiq being bullied”, but emphasized that the accusation that he frequently made racist remarks was “absolutely not true.”

His current club, the county champion Warwickshire, vowed to take these claims seriously. Chairman Mark McCafferty stated that he would seek discussions with Rafic “as soon as possible” to discuss them before accepting Bresnan’s statement. This matter.

At the same time, former Scotland international Majid Hack called for a formal investigation of racism in the country.

Speaking of a new equality action plan, Huck told BBC Scotland: “I think Scottish cricket is trying to do something, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We need to investigate.

“How many ethnic minorities does the Scottish cricket board have? How many people are there in the coaching staff? How many are top referees? Given how many Asians are participating, is the national team representative enough?

“As a minority cricket player, you need to show twice as much performance as a white player to get the same chance.”