Ex-Academy player accuses Yorkshire Cricket Club of Racism

Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) is investigating a new racism allegation by a former academy player.

Irfan Amjad, who was later released, said that he was racially abused by a member of staff when he was 16-years-old.

He stated that the person in question used a slur which referenced his Pakistani heritage while criticising his batting.

The former academy member told the BBC:

“On one occasion, we were playing a home game and I had played an attacking shot while batting, the ball went up in the air and I got caught out.

“I was making my way to the dressing room and as I got in, when I started taking my helmet and pads off, the individual came marching through the door and he looked me dead in the eyes.”

It was at this point that the staff member used the racist term in reference to “a typical shot” played by those of Pakistani heritage.

Amjad continued: “And he just left. I was stunned, didn’t know what to do and was shocked.

“I had never been directly racially insulted like that to my face. I didn’t know what to do.”

The young cricket player said that he decided to speak out following the ongoing Azeem Rafiq case against the YCCC.

Rafiq had also been subjected to racial abuse during his two spells at Yorkshire which had left him close to taking his own life.

Amjad said: “Even before the incident I felt distant, it happened and then I felt isolated after that.

“Going forwards, I didn’t feel I could speak up or give my views on the game in team meetings.

“It crosses your mind [reporting it] but I was a 16-year-old boy and I didn’t know what to do. I kept it to myself.

“No one else shared their experiences with me and I didn’t share mine either.

“If I did open up, those that did experience similar issues may have opened up too.”

Various individuals have come forward recently and shared their own experiences at YCCC.

On Friday, November 5, 2021, chairman Roger Hutton was one of several board members who resigned over the club’s widely criticised handling of the Rafiq case.

In response to the latest allegation, the YCCC said:

“It is essential that those who have experienced racism, discrimination and abuse are able to come forward to share their experiences.

“We were unaware of this allegation until now but will investigate appropriately.”

Meanwhile, new Yorkshire County Cricket Club chair Lord Patel said Azeem Rafiq “should be praised” for his bravery and “should never have been put through” the racism he endured.