Azeem Rafiq: “I am ashamed of this exchange and now I have removed it so as not to cause more offense. I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe that I am a different person today.”
Azeem Rafiq apologized for making anti-Semitic comments in a message exchange with another cricketer in 2011.
The former Yorkshireman, who has been the main whistleblower in the ongoing scrutiny of racism in the English game, admitted to making the comments after the evidence was revealed by The times Thursday.
Rafiq said he was “ashamed of this exchange” and apologized to the Jewish community “and all who are rightly offended by this,” but insists he is a different person today.
Rafiq said: “I was sent a picture from this early 2011 exchange today (Thursday). I have double-checked my account and it’s me. I have absolutely no excuses.
“I am ashamed of this exchange and now I have removed it so as not to cause more offense. I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe that I am a different person today.”
“I am incredibly angry with myself and I apologize to the Jewish community and to everyone who is offended by this.”
The times included a screenshot of the exchange of messages between Rafiq and former Leicestershire cricketer Ateeq Javid, and reported that their “sources believe they are arguing about another Asian cricketer, who at the time was playing for Derbyshire, whom they seem accuse of being reluctant to spend money on a meal out. “
While testifying before the DCMS select committee hearing on racism at the Yorkshire CCC on Tuesday, an emotional Rafiq insisted that “racism is not a joke” but also admitted that he himself was “not perfect” during his career.
The presidents of the 18 first-class counties will meet with representatives from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Association of Professional Cricketers on Friday to discuss equality, diversity and inclusion within the English game.
First-class counties are asked to sign a 12-point action plan to improve the in-game situation after Azeem Rafiq’s evidence Tuesday in front of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee .
There is a sense that certain counties are far behind in terms of action plans for children and the continuing lack of diversity within coaching teams and boardrooms that needs to be improved quickly.
Counties that do not meet certain expectations within the 12-point plan run the risk of reduced funding from the ECB. It is understood that the role of the President of the ECB and the position of Tom Harrison, the CEO, will not be discussed during the meeting in the Oval.
