Azeem Rafiq says he has been ‘driven out of the country’ by ‘threats and abuse’ since he ‘opened his heart’ to racism in Yorkshire.
Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, as he did at the end of 2021, Rafiq said media coverage had fueled threats against his family.
The 31-year-old man spoke of a “defecating” man in his garden as well as the abuse received in the street.
“Sometimes I walked down the street fearing for my life,” Rafiq said.
The former Yorkshire spinner told MPs in 2021 that English cricket was “institutionally” racistafter saying in 2020 that abuse at the club had left him on the verge of taking his own life.
In October, Rafiq said “an endless and coordinated campaign of lies” had “caused a serious risk” to the safety of his family after he was accused of anti-Semitism and homophobia in a Daily mail report.
In his final appearance at a parliamentary committee hearing, Rafiq said he now receives “24/7 security” from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and explained how The Yorkshire Post’s coverage of the story “should be held accountable” for the abuse he and his family have since suffered.
“Every time there is an article, it creates a wave of online abuse,” he said.
“I don’t feel at any time that they [the Yorkshire Post] had no balance. If I had to pick one reason why all of this happened, I would sadly have to say it’s the writing of the Yorkshire Post.
“Going abroad is not easy, especially when you have sick parents.
The Yorkshire Post told BBC Sport in a statement that it “applies the same standards of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism in seeking to tell all sides of the story”.
‘Cricket is in denial’
Since Rafiq spoke there have been changes in management at Yorkshire, with several current and former players and coaches being reprimanded.
Rafiq suggested an independent regulator was needed for cricket, saying the ECB had ‘been involved in leaking and spreading’ stories about him, adding that the governing body ‘tried to discredit’ his experiments .
He said ‘everything seems very superficial at the top’ and ‘cricket is in denial’, adding: ‘There is still a group of people who feel like cricket is the victim of this.
“The way I was attacked and abused – why would you talk?”
Earlier in October, Rafiq was among five current and former players reprimanded by the ECB for historic social media posts of a racist nature. Rafiq previously apologized for a 2011 Facebook exchange that contained anti-Semitic messages.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life,” he said.
“One of the things that came out was the anti-Semitic posts that I made. I did exactly what I asked others to do, which was to apologize and admit, trying to figure out why I made those comments.”
In a lengthy statement, Yorkshire Post editorial director James Mitchinson said: “The libelous and unsubstantiated allegations made to today’s DCMS select committee, referring to myself, the Yorkshire Post and my staff in relation to Mr Rafiq’s experiences of racist bullying while playing for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, I absolutely reject.
“From the time Mr Rafiq spoke out about the racist abuse he unquestionably suffered – the Yorkshire Post has admitted on several occasions – while playing for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, we applied the same rules objectivity, impartiality and professionalism in research telling all aspects of the story, including but not limited to the experiences of those individuals who have been fired, accused of being racist, who remain determined to clear their name. That’s what our readers expect of us, and that’s what we will continue to do.
“I am delighted that Mr. Rafiq acknowledged that during the documentation of this scandal, I called him to ensure that I had taken all possible measures to personally understand his experience and have reflected it in our coverage.
“From a personal perspective, one that I haven’t had the privilege of airing at DCMS, I know I will be able to look back with absolute conviction that every step of the way, we as team, have sought to tell the truth about each other when others have not given them this possibility.
“I must say I am disappointed – but not surprised – that The Yorkshire Post’s fearless brand of journalism, editorially courageous even in the face of deeply controversial and complex issues, has come under attack from powerful people today.
“Those who believe in a free press, empowered to always uncover the truth, should be deeply concerned about the failed attempt to undermine the Yorkshire Post.
“Finally, I want to reassure Mr. Rafiq that I could not have taken more ownership or applied more due diligence in editing this story, and I remain committed to listening and telling all facets of it honestly. , integrity and impartiality.”
“Things have to change” – Lord Patel
Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel, who was appointed last year after Roger Hutton resigned following the club’s response to the racism scandal, read a racist letter the club had received and said he had a “full bag” of similar correspondence sent since Rafiq first spoke. .
Since Lord Patel took over, an independent alert hotline for victims of discrimination was opened and structural reforms at the club mean Headingley can once again host internationals.
But Lord Patel said his work has been “relentless” since taking office, adding: “I don’t understand where Azeem finds the strength to carry on.
“The way things have to change. It’s sport – it’s something we love and it brings people together.
“It was a very concerted attack – I don’t think people understand that. I don’t think the ECB understood that. We have to look at the whole culture of cricket and get under the skin.
“We’re on a very long journey. A lot of people are going to have to get off the bus along the way. The way things have to change.”
Lord Patel also said women had been “forgotten” in Yorkshire.
“Our women’s team doesn’t have its own dressing room, that will change,” he added.
Analysis
Laura Scott, BBC sports news correspondent
Azeem Rafiq argues it was never meant to be about him and that the purpose of his speaking out about his own experiences of racism was to try to up the game – but his testimony clearly showed the personal impact it has had on him.
All the while, 13 months after his last appearance before the committee, he remains unconvinced that what he sees as ‘structural problems’ within cricket are being properly addressed, particularly when he believes that there are still some in the sport who deny any problem exists.
He seems to have little confidence in the game-wide initiatives introduced by the ECB or the governance changes.
But it wasn’t all negative – Lord Patel said Yorkshire had dramatically improved the diversity of its course schemes by offering free coaching and a free kit, and that despite the £500,000 cost to the county it has attracted new sponsors.
So perhaps having been at the center of the crisis, the county could become a role model for the future.
