Azeem Rafiq...

Claims there was deep-rooted, institutional racism during his time at Yorkshire.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/54005584

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...s-brink-suicide-experiencing-racism-yorkshire

 

I do find it strange that Yorkshire hardly had any Asian players for years. The best players in the local Yorkshire and Lancashire leagues in 80s and 90s were all Asian.
In saying that I know of a few amount of white lads who were extremely talented but overlooked. Average lads got picked due to connections at high levels.

 

Yorkshire as a place to live is very diverse, but when it comes to the cricket team it's always been pretty white. I am surprised like you that more ethnic players haven't come through the system or signed from other counties.

 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/whiteroseforum/azeem-rafiq-t12403.html

12 pages on the white rose forum. they have a couple of apologists on there but in the main many seem keen for an independent inquiry to take place. It certainly looked to me the club were hoping it would blow over.

it’s strange the YCCC team is made up of 11 white men, no Asian players from one of the most multicultural areas of the country, and no Asian coaches either.

 

Director of Cricket is a Barnsley lad Martin Moxon , went to school with him , good footballer back then as well .

 

Just read an article by the Chairman of the Yorkshire Premier Cricket League and it basically says that he doesn't like Azeem so he deserves everything he gets.

It then says, and I quote, "you reap what you sow".

Now I know Azeem quite well, and this is bang out of order. I know what he has been through. I know he was in a meeting with the YCCC Chief Exec regarding the tragic loss of his baby, whilst they were watching the clock and speaking over him.

A complete disgrace.

 

He wasn't good enough, what's that got to do with racism?

When he was younger he was certainly brash and arrogant and rubbed people up the wrong way, maybe he has matured since then?

 

Yorkshire CCC have the likes of Moxon and Gale (with his Ashwell Prince issues) in charge. They can easily put out an all white 11. Even our overseas guys over the years tend to be white guys from Australia or New Zealand and nobody from Pakistan or Sri Lanka.

Something is very much up there.

 

That's the story that went around the local clubs. He's a very good cricketer and a really nice lad. He's cocky on the pitch but you've got to have some front. Spinners can go the distance with the pitches and rules nowadays,but they can also be the lethal in 20/20 games.
I love Yorkshire doing well but for too long the old boys network have had too much control.
Moxon I hoped would be part of the cure, but he's just part of the same old furniture.
Since losing Dizzy the county really hasn't moved forward. Young kids are being brought in from other counties, local lads are only kept in the team if their face fits.

 

Could you share the article? Thanks

 

And this is completely disingenuous.

"As a Muslim lad I have tried to fit in and I've done things which I shouldn't have, which I regret, but all I wanted to do was play cricket for England. I did things that were against my religion and I am ashamed of that."

You're responsible for your own actions.

 

We'd better racially abuse him then.

 

https://www.ysplcricket.co.uk/chair...2ZYDD6cwgPv6rGJEu6ssgpfiqnzEdESco1MC1VifWN_4I

 

Jesus that's out of order, he's been an international cricketer hes got an edge. Does he honestly think other nations players are all gentlemanly? If so he's deluded, there's a reason the stump mic is turned off to viewers and why you hear commentators chuckling sometimes.

 

He was good enough, easily good enough to play county cricket , and was very close to playing for England's ODI.
Racism institutionalised or from the man in the street is a cancer that needs a cure.

 

He should make and shame the players who racially abused him. He gave a specific example of being out and being abused by a player so name who it was otherwise they've got away with it

 

wow. What hope is there when people who administer the game in our area write things like that.

 

It's an anagram of Andrew Gela.

Allegedly of course.

 

Exactly this. I've played both with and against him. He's a tough competitor. I understand why umpires can sometimes find him a little hard to deal with. He isn't the only one. Plenty of players are like this.

But to then say that he's got what he deserves is a disgrace.

 

Now... I'm not commenting specifically about what Azeem claims, but I'm not having this as evidence of any racism.

Firstly, Yorkshire very famously had Sachin Tendulkar as their first ever overseas player. In recent years, they've also had:

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan
Ravi Ashwin, India
Nicholas Pooran, West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies

Before them, Richie Richardson was another famous one.

To name the ones I can remember. They've also attempted to sign other non-white players such as Kohli in recent years.

Australia have long been one of strongest international teams, so it's no surprise that Yorkshire, having had great success with the likes of Bevan and Lehmann in the past, often look there for talent. Hardly makes the club racist. They then had an Aussie coach, who obviously signed Aussie players.

If you actually go through the subcontinent nations:

Sri Lanka have very few players that are good enough - they've had a few world class players in Murali (played at Lancs for years), Jayawardene, Jayasuriya, Vaas, Atapattu, De Silva etc that were around a few years ago, but now they're bang average.

India - very hard to get their players as overseas players due to the BCCI being tight in letting them out.

Pakistan - actually quite few play county cricket for whatever reason. There are a few, but it's not common.