Yorkshire CCC and a “number of individuals” have been charged by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an investigation of racism in the country while the ECB has decided not to reveal the names of those charged at this point.
Yorkshire CCC and a “number of individuals” have been charged by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an investigation of racism in the country.
The ECB has decided not to reveal the names of those charged at this point. An independent panel of the Cricket Discipline Commission will hear the cases in September or October, the ECB said.
“The ECB’s investigation has been thorough and complex, with the allegations covering a significant time and some witnesses and other individuals coming forward to share their own experiences and allegations. The ECB is grateful to all those who have taken the time to speak with the investigating team,”
the board said in a release.
“The charges arise from alleged breaches of ECB Directive 3.3 (conduct which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket, or any cricketer into disrepute) and the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code.”
The ECB had earlier suspended Yorkshire from hosting international and major matches following the “club’s failure to actions and responses” to the racism allegations.
All this is a spin-off of allegations of racism made by Azeem Rafiq, a former county player at the club, about his time at Yorkshire, including that he was subject to racist abuse, bullying, and harassment.
An independent report, commissioned by Yorkshire, found that Rafiq had been subjected to “racist harassment and bullying”. However, the county subsequently confirmed that it would be taking no disciplinary action against any of its players or staff following its internal interview.
“I welcome today’s announcement by the ECB and hope we can move to the hearing quickly,”
Rafiq said on Twitter.
“This has been another grueling but unfortunately necessary process. It has been a long two years since I went public about my experiences, but I hope this all means that no young player ever goes through such pain and alienation again.
“My preference would be for this hearing to take place publicly, but I am hopeful that we are at least nearing a point where there will be some sense of closure for my family and me.”