(Reuters) – The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) had “some failings” in their dealing with of the allegations of racism made by Azeem Rafiq in opposition to Yorkshire county membership, the union’s chief government Rob Lynch stated.
Former Yorkshire spinner Rafiq, who’s of Pakistani descent, testified earlier than a British parliamentary committee in November and spoke of the discrimination he confronted whereas at Yorkshire, saying the game in England was riddled with racism.
The 30-year-old stated the stance of the PCA had been “extremely inept”.
“We had some failings and have learnt plenty of classes,” Lynch advised the parliamentary committee on Tuesday. “We applaud Azeem for his braveness and bravado for being a whistleblower to create the required change inside the sport.
“PCA have supplied assist to Azeem all through his profession however clearly in this dispute with Yorkshire we didn’t meet the requirements we might have wished to.
“We have apologised to him for the place we went improper. We have listened to Azeem concerning the points in the sport and what could be finished higher, and various adjustments have been launched.”
The racism scandal shook English sport and price Yorkshire sponsors, with the England and Wales Cricket Board suspending the county from internet hosting worldwide or main matches at Headingley.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
