Azeem Rafiq says his allegations of racism against Yorkshire "will be told to the world"

Rafiq had claimed that he faced "institutional racism" during his time at Yorkshire.

Azeem Rafiq | GettyProfessional cricketer Azeem Rafiq on Monday (September 14) issued a warning for Yorkshire, stating that his racism allegations against his former English county team will be "told to the world".

During the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement last year, Rafiq had spoken about the "institutional racism" he faced during his time at Yorkshire.

He had claimed that he wasn't treated well at his former club and was always considered an outsider. As a result, he had lost faith in humanity and even contemplated suicide.

Subsequently, ECB ordered a probe into the matter and the findings of an independent panel report were released last week.

The panel's report upheld seven of Rafiq's 43 allegations, and found there was "no question" he was subjected to racial harassment and bullying at Yorkshire. However, it said there was inadequate evidence to find the club were institutionally racist.

Amid the recent development, Rafiq has said that he would share details of the allegations he made.

In a Twitter post, he wrote: "I always said to the leaders in our game their (sic) will be a point/morning where I wake when I just can't take it anymore.

"Not taking it anymore won't mean I will leave it and walk away. It will purely mean everything that has happened to date — from people being dishonest about what took place in return for positions/jobs, to attempts to create evidence — will be told to the world and let them decide whether YCCC is institutionally racist."

Rafiq had two stints at Yorkshire – from 2008 to 2014 and then 2016 to 2018.

The report found he was not provided halal food during matches, something which has now been rectified for other players.

It found there were three instances of racist language used prior to 2010 which amounted to harassment on the grounds of race, while before 2012 a former coach "regularly used racist language".

During his second spell, jokes around religion were made which left him uncomfortable, the report found, and a reference was made to Rafiq's weight and fitness which amounted to bullying.

The report also held the club guilty for not taking action on allegations Rafiq made in 2018.

Despite those findings, the report stated that Rafiq's non-selection and eventual release from the club were entirely based on cricketing reasons.

"I feel lucky to be alive but I won't test my resolve any longer," Rafiq tweeted.

"For all you people who are victims of racist abuse or any type of discrimination I have tried my upmost best to give you all a voice but unfortunately the system just wants to choke us and finds allies and money to do that."

(With AFP inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Sep, 2021

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