Rafiq racism at Yorkshire CC

[peoniesarejustperfect]

Posting here for traffic as just so upset and disgusted to read about what has been happening at Yorkshire CC. The initial abuse and then it seems a cover up. Not sure if the whole story is out, but it just seems so shocking that a young, talented man would be subject to such horrible abuse by another young, talented man. Then for it to be dismissed by an inquiry. There's nothing to explain or justify it apart from pure nastiness. I am so pleased the sponsors are pulling out.

I think it's incredibly serious that the ECB are charging Yorkshire CCC as well as various individuals (names not confirmed yet) with bringing the game into disrepute. The whole way the club handled the situation is shocking. The cricket establishment is also at fault for not questioning why a county with so many local cricket teams has had so few Yorkshire born Asians in the first team.

We all know about the racist abuse that players receive from spectators but Azeem Rafiq's experiences, and the example of the sacked Crawley Town manager in football, show that racism exists at multiple levels in sport.

Reading your post, kd44, reminded me of an excellent article by the (now) Real Madrid player, Toni Rudiger:

www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/antonio-ruediger-champions-league-soccer-racism-chelsea

It's easy to condemn racism when it is committed by others but when it reflects on our own community or workplace, it's harder for some people to acknowledge.

I hope that belatedly Azeem Rafiq and others who have been treated disgracefully by Yorkshire CCC can finally get something approaching justice.

This is good news, but why aren’t the individuals named?

name and shame them.

They have been, 6 of the 7 aren't involved in the playing or coaching side of the game. The ECB can't do much with them. Probably give them a telling off. They have charged Yorkshire but again all those that let this go on have left so not sure what the point of any punishment will be.

I think what contributes is the old fashioned, accepted racism.
I was brought up in the 50s 60s and racism was the norm- not deliberate cruelty but a basic acceptance of our superiority -after all they wanted to come here, so it must be better.
Yorkshire had a large influx of Asians with very different cultures and what got ingrained then was still in place today. Somehow YCC has not moved from those old attitudes.
But that is inexcusable. A few prison sentences will sharpen minds - and a some Asian players should improve the games.

I see, thanks Bumtum,

there are many many tales of families racing back to the county to give birth in case it was a boy and could then play cricket for Yorkshire. They were the last county to give up that stipulation when taking on players, and frankly i think it's a bit of a shame that counties don't do that, but the modern game requires modern player policies.

But this case is shocking - and any woman who has been subject to sexual harassment that gets written off as "bantz" must surely feel solidarity here (unless they're a racist in which case "fuck you"). The reaction by Yorkshire CC is appalling and embarassing and it would be great if Yorkshire folk would write to them to let them know (I will be sending them an actual letter in an envelope).

The Zimbo thing is - well, i don't know. How did the Zimbabwe player really feel about that? did he feel that he had to put up with it or be ostracised or subject to worse? or did he genuinely not mind? it's difficult to answer that (sorry if the information is already out there)

What a fucking mess.