Wide-ranging response promised by bosses – timeline of the racism crisis in cricket

The fallout from Yorkshire whistleblower Azeem Rafiq’s explosive and emotional appearance to MPs continues.
Rafiq aired his full and poignant allegations in the public arena during a digital, culture, media and sports select committee hearing on Tuesday.
Here, the PA News Agency provides a timeline of developments in the crisis of racism in cricket so far.
September 2, 2020 – In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, former England Under-19 captain Rafiq reveals: “I know how close I was to committing suicide while in Yorkshire” because of what he calls ” institutional racism “in the county.

September 3, 2020 – Yorkshire President Roger Hutton confirms that a formal investigation into Rafiq’s allegations “will begin in a few days” and will be carried out “in a thorough, impartial and urgent manner”, while Hanif Malik, the committee chairman for the equality and diversity of the club, is in contact with Rafiq.
September 5, 2020 – Independent law firm Squire Patton Boggs is hired by Yorkshire to investigate and review the racism suffered by Rafiq.
November 13, 2020 – Rafiq reveals details of the racism he has faced in Yorkshire in a statement issued through his law firm Chadwick Lawrence LLP. It reveals that non-white players were referred to as ‘P *** s’ and ‘elephant washers’, while the culture of drinking at the club is highlighted in regards to insensitivity to the attitudes of people. Muslims with regard to alcohol.
December 14, 2020 – Chadwick Lawrence LLP confirms that Rafiq has filed a complaint against Yorkshire under the Equality Act, alleging direct discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, as well as victimization and prejudice as a result of his efforts to combat racism at the club.

June 17, 2021 – Yorkshire confirms they have failed to “resolve issues between the club and Azeem Rafiq” through the judicial mediation process as the case is still pending before the Labor Court and is due to be registered for a private case management conference.
August 18, 2021 – England and Wales Cricket Council Chairman Ian Watmore asks Yorkshire to provide a copy of the investigation findings after confirming the independent investigation has sent its findings to the county, with Rafiq revealing his exasperation at the persistent delays in the process.
August 19, 2021 – Rafiq accuses Yorkshire of ‘rigging’ his allegations of institutional racism after the county apologized to the former spinner for being the ‘victim of inappropriate behavior’ but insisted that “Many allegations have not been confirmed” in a lengthy statement after the claim was concluded.
September 8, 2021 – Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee Chairman Julian Knight MP calls on Yorkshire MP to release the report into Rafiq’s allegations of racism, saying: ‘It is crucial that the process, the report and its findings complete are made public and open for review.

September 10, 2021 – Yorkshire publish a condensed version of their independent report, in which they apologize and accept that Rafiq suffered ‘racial harassment and intimidation’ during his two stays at the club between 2008 and 2018, but after only Seven of Rafiq’s 43 allegations have been confirmed as the county insists there is not enough evidence to prove or disprove institutionalized racism.
October 7, 2021 – A Rafiq spokesperson accuses Yorkshire of “protecting the players and a coach who they say have now used racist or intimidated language”, with the full report still not released.
28 October 2021 – Yorkshire announces that no one will be disciplined despite upholding seven of Rafiq’s allegations.
November 2, 2021 – ESPNcricinfo reveal details of report on Rafiq’s claims, which includes a senior player’s admission that he used the word ‘P ***’ in reference to Rafiq, but Yorkshire concluded that the incidents in question amounted to “friendly jokes.” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said “heads should fall” in Yorkshire, while President Hutton is called upon to face the digital, culture, media and sports committee.
We have made the decision to discontinue our brand association with YCCC and Headingley Stadium. We do not tolerate any form of racism or discriminatory behavior. We hope that YCCC will respond with serious action and uphold the values ââwe all expect. https://t.co/mQ7LliDac9
– Emerald Editions (@EmeraldGlobal) November 3, 2021
November 3, 2021 – Emerald Group Publishing, Yorkshire Tea and Anchor Butter all terminate their association with Yorkshire for handling of Rafiq’s allegations. Meanwhile, former England hitter Gary Ballance reveals he used “a racial insult” against Rafiq, but claimed the two “said things to each other in private that were not acceptable.” Rafiq appeared to question the timing after tweeting: “Funny how things change from complete denial to I accepted everything over a 14 month period?”
November 4, 2021 – ECB suspends Yorkshire from hosting international or major matches “until it has clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, an ECB member and a first class county “, while Ballance is” indefinitely suspended “from the English selection.
November 5, 2021 – Ahead of an emergency board meeting, Hutton resigns as Yorkshire chairman, calling on the board to do the same and saying he is ‘saddened’ after claiming the ECB refused to help them in their investigation. Lord Patel is appointed new chairman, board members Malik and Stephen Willis also resign. Former Yorkshire all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claims he overheard Vaughan making inappropriate comments to the club’s Asian players, something Rafiq also alleged and Vaughan denies.
November 11, 2021 – Mark Arthur is stepping down as Yorkshire’s Managing Director following intense pressure. Rafiq renews his long-standing calls for the resignation of Arthur and cricket manager Martyn Moxon after reaching a settlement in his employment tribunal against the county earlier in the week, with these sentiments echoed by Culture Minister Chris Philp in the House of Commons. Moxon remains signed with a “stress-related illness,” but Arthur follows Hutton’s lead by stepping down from his post at Headingley.
November 15, 2021 – Adil Rashid joins Rana in supporting Rafiq’s claim regarding Vaughan. The trio allege Vaughan said in front of a group of Yorkshire players of Asian descent: “Too many of you, we have to do something.”
November 16, 2021 – Rafiq provides explosive details of his time at Headingley during a DCMS select committee hearing and also suggests that the racist and derogatory use of the term “Kevin” by Ballance was “an open secret in the English locker room”. He also alleges that another former England hitter, Alex Hales, named a dog because he was black. Later, his statement from his established employment tribunal with Yorkshire reveals damning allegations against Ballance, Moxon, Andrew Gale, Tim Bresnan and Matthew Hoggard. Broadcaster David Lloyd also apologizes for the comments he made.
November 17, 2021 – Hales breaks his silence on Rafiq’s claim that his dog’s name had a racial connotation, saying in a statement that it was an accusation he “categorically and absolutely denies.” Former Yorkshire captain David Byas, who was named by Rafiq during the DCMS select committee hearing as “known” for using racist phrases, also denies any wrongdoing, insisting that he was “lost” to the charges as he had stopped working in Yorkshire. before Rafiq joins. He states in a statement: âI categorically deny that I used the sentences attributed to me in paragraph 47 of Azeem Rafiq’s witness statement and I also categorically refute any suggestion that I was known for it.
November 18, 2021 – Rafiq apologizes after revealing that he sent anti-Semitic messages to another player more than a decade earlier. He was forced to face his own past shortcomings when The Times uncovered a trade with former Warwickshire and Leicestershire player Ateeq Javid. In it, Rafiq made offensive remarks about an unidentified person. After reviewing the messages, Rafiq confirms that they are genuine but that he is furious at his own actions. âI am incredibly angry with myself and apologize to the Jewish community and anyone who is rightfully offended by this,â he said on Twitter.
Following an all-game meeting at the Kia Oval, cricket today pledged to take far-reaching action to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion and diversity at all levels.
– England and Wales Cricket Council (@ECB_cricket) November 19, 2021
November 19, 2021 – The stakeholders of the game hold a crisis meeting at the end of which the Managing Director of the ECB, Tom Harrison, promises “a far-reaching action to fight against discrimination”. ECB representatives meet with presidents of 18 first-class counties, the Professional Cricketers Association, MCC and others from unprivileged counties and recreational gambling and come out demanding broad agreement to deal decisively the question.