Yorkshire looking into allegations a member of staff racially abused a former academy player when criticising their batting style; "I had never been racially insulted like that in my life," Irfan Amjad told Sky Sports News
Tuesday 9 November 2021 16:41, UK
Yorkshire are investigating a new allegation of racism after a former academy player said he was verbally abused by a member of staff at the club.
Irfan Amjad has come forward at a time where Yorkshire are dealing with the fallout of their handling of Azeem Rafiq's racism and bullying allegations, with sponsors walking away from the club and the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) suspending their right to host international matches and other major games.
Amjad alleges that, when 16, a member of staff referenced his Pakistani heritage when criticising his batting style.
Amjad told Sky Sports News: "On one particular occasion we were playing a home game. I was batting, I played an attacking shot, the ball went up in the air and I got caught out. I made my way to the dressing room, sat down.
"Taking off my pads and helmet, and the coach came marching through the door, looked me dead in the eye and he said to me 'that was a typical P*** shot, wasn't it?', and he just walked out.
"I was left stunned, shocked, didn't know how to reply, didn't know what to do. I kept it to myself all this time and now I'm speaking out about it. After that incident I felt like I was kept sort of isolated from the coach; felt I couldn't really speak out in team meetings and when I heard about Azeem's story it sort of prompted me to speak out as well."
Yorkshire County Cricket Club said it was "unaware of this allegation until now but will investigate appropriately".
In response to the allegations from Amjad, and that a Muslim girl was forced to wear shorts while training despite it going against her religious beliefs, Yorkshire added: "It is essential that those who have experienced racism, discrimination and abuse are able to come forward to share their experiences.
"The club's new chair, Lord Patel, has outlined a number of actions to right the wrongs of the past and make sure that the club is inclusive for all."
Amjad said he spoke with his father after hearing Rafiq come forward.
"He [my father] said to me why didn't you tell me at the time? I would have dealt with the situation at the time? I was a 16-year-old boy," Amjad said.
"I had never been racially insulted like that in my life - indirectly or directly. This was a direct insult. I didn't know what to do. So I told him. He said you need to speak out. And here I am speaking out about my experience.
"I've rustled up the courage now having read about him [Rafiq] and what he's been through. I want to share my experience as well. So I want to thank Azeem. A lot of credit needs to be given to him for speaking out. It takes a lot of courage. Courage I didn't have at the time - until now. That's the reason I'm coming out."
Amjad also encouraged others to come forward, adding: "Definitely. It does take a lot of courage. I kept it to myself for over 10 years. I can understand if someone is in two minds - should they come out - should they not. I would urge them all to come out and make it known, make it public and share their experiences if they did experience any racial abuse."
English cricket's discrimination inquiry has asked to see a copy of Yorkshire's investigation into allegations of racism and bullying made by former player Rafiq.
The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) was set up by the ECB in March and on Tuesday opened its call for evidence, which is open to everyone involved in the elite and grassroots game.
The chair of the ICEC, Cindy Butts, says she wants to "put a mirror up" to the game and confront barriers around race, gender and class.
"I am yet to hear back from (the ECB), but I hope I will hear from them imminently because the issues that are raised within the report are vital for the work that we are doing as a Commission," she told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.
It comes after England all-rounder Moeen Ali said he was not surprised by the allegations of racism made by Rafiq.
"I wouldn't say I'm surprised but there's probably more stories out there that people haven't heard of," Moeen told a news conference on Monday.
"The fact it's come out is great because, going forward, people (will) have to think about what they can or can't say in terms of discriminating against people and knowing what people feel and go through.
"What Azeem has done, he is not doing it for any personal gain, I think he wants change and that's what he's pushing for."
On his decision to come forward, Amjad said: "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."
On Monday, new Yorkshire chair Lord Patel apologised to Rafiq over the county's handling of his allegations.
The county have been widely criticised, with the England and Wales Cricket Board's suspension of their right to host international matches and other major games set to hit their finances hard, alongside sponsors walking away.
"Azeem is a whistleblower and should be praised as such, he should never have been put through this," Patel said at a press conference.
"We're sorry for what you and your family have experienced and the way in which we've handled this.
"I thank Azeem for his bravery in speaking out. Let me be clear from the outset, racism or discrimination in any form is not banter."
Rafiq and senior Yorkshire executives are set to give evidence before a parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) panel on November 16.
