by Colin Graves has apologized “personally and unreservedly” to those who suffered racism in Yorkshire after the club’s board approved a loan bid that paved the way for his return as controversial chairman.
But Azeem Rafiq, the former coach-turned-whistleblower whose revelations are at the heart of the scandal that has engulfed the club in recent years, has already rejected Graves’ attempts to say sorry.
Rafiq believes Graves’ proposals, described by Yorkshire as the only viable bid left to tackle a troubled financial situation involving debts of almost £15million to the Graves family trust, have failed the game to cope with its discrimination problem.
Graves is set to resume the role he left in 2015, when he became chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, when Yorkshire members vote at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for February 2.
The 75-year-old offered an initial £1million, with a further £4m pledged over five months, provided members confirm him as chairman and allies Phillip Hodson, Sanjay Patel and Sanjeev Gandhi agree. – change table.
The deal has been approved by those currently in charge of the club but it is a divisive move given the racism scandal that occurred in part during Graves’ first spell in charge.
Graves has tried to move away from his previous bullish approach, apologizing in full to those who suffered racism and saying he “deeply regrets” comments last summer that explained the issue as “banter”.
Rafiq, for one, says that is not enough.
“It’s not something I accept. It has to be more than words,” he told the PA news agency.
“We’ve seen a lot of big excuses and I believed them – not anymore. Be careful what you want is what I say, not just to Yorkshire members, but to cricket.
“This is a clear message to me, to other people who have been abused, to South Asians, to people of colour, that cricket is not for you. Actions speak louder than words and at the first challenge point the game showed exactly what it is, which is institutionally, systemically racist.
“It’s not my club (anymore). Even after everything that happened – driven out of the country, assault, abuse, I was still like ‘I’m proud of this (county) cap’. I don’t anymore and I’m wondering what to do with it.”
Graves’ statement, accompanying the news that his emergency funding bid had been accepted at board level, read: “I apologize personally and unreservedly to anyone who has suffered any form of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
“Discrimination or abuse based on race, ethnicity or any other protected characteristic will not and will not be tolerated. I regret some of the language I used when I was asked about the events that took place when I was chairman, when I was no longer at the club. I understand and empathize with those who find my comments disrespectful or careless.
“I am determined to do whatever it takes to ensure Yorkshire County Cricket Club continues to represent the communities it represents.”
Graves went on to clarify that he and his supporters accepted the decisions of the Independent Equity Commission (ICEC) and would stand by its recommendations.
The ECB, which recently stepped in to provide financial support to Yorkshire in the form of cash advances, welcomed Graves’ apology but warned it would keep a close eye on the club’s behaviour.
“Yorkshire – and across cricket more broadly – have done significant work in recent years to tackle discrimination and make the game more inclusive, and it is vital that this continues,” read a statement from governing body.
“We welcome Colin Graves’ commitment to continue this work, his unreserved apology and acceptance of the ICEC findings. These words must be put into action if Yorkshire members approve this measure.
“In addition, the ECB continues to exercise its ongoing role in ensuring effective oversight of governance throughout the world. There are also significant powers that can be used to hold Yorkshire County Cricket Club to account if it does not continue the progress and reform we have seen in recent years.”
The threat of suspending Headingley’s right to host international cricket was previously imposed in 2021 and ended the following year following sweeping changes by former chairman Lord Kamlesh Patel.
Graves has been invited to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) select committee, with the chair, Caroline Dinenage MP, warning that her group would be “watching closely” amid fears that the base of the progress made in her recovery. until now”.
One of Graves’ closest allies, and another former Yorkshire chairman, Robin Smith offered a more positive take.
He told PA: “The proposal from Colin Graves is the only one on the table. Fortunately, it turns out to be a pretty good one.
“The praise comes from people of proven integrity and experience, particularly Colin Graves himself, who, for the second time, was willing to come to the aid of Yorkshire in its hour of need.”
