The report found that former player Azeem Rafiq was the victim of “racial harassment and intimidation” in Yorkshire; The ECB suspended the club’s right to host international matches; several sponsors have terminated their association
Joe Root went through the age groups and the Yorkshire academy
Joe Root says the Yorkshire racism scandal has “fractured our game and shattered lives” and will offer his support to the club in an attempt to “make the sport I love better for everyone.”
A report found that former player Azeem Rafiq was the victim of “racial harassment and intimidation” in Yorkshire, but the club said it would not discipline anyone.
Yorkshire has been widely criticized, with the England and Wales Cricket Board suspending its right to host international matches and other major games, while various sponsors have terminated their association.
In a statement on the matter, Root said: “As England captain and senior player in Yorkshire, I feel compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and the YCCC.
“I just want the sport to be a place where everyone enjoys it for the beautiful game that it is and feels equal and safe. It pains me to know that this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It is my club that I care about with passion. I have spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate on racism, on either side. It is simply intolerable.
“These events have fractured our game and shattered lives. Now we must rally and re-unite as fans, players, the media and those who work in cricket. We have the opportunity to make the sport I love better for everyone.”
Root, who has been through the age groups and Yorkshire academy, He said he wanted to “see changes and actions” from Yorkshire and that he will contact the new chairman Lord Patel.
Patel apologized to Rafiq on Monday for the county’s “flawed” 12-month investigation into his allegations of racism and bullying and revealed that Yorkshire had established a separate labor court with the former player.
Rafiq, who played for Yorkshire for two stints between 2008 and 2018, made his allegations for the first time in a September 2020 interview with ESPNcricinfo, stating that “deep-seated” racism in Yorkshire had left him “close to committing suicide”.
He must testify before the selection committee of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the UK government said it is ready to “intervene” if Yorkshire and the Cricket Board of England and Wales do not take “real action” in the wake of the Rafiq case.
Root said that racism and discrimination were problems that extended beyond Yorkshire and the world of cricket, and invited everyone to participate to conquer it.
“We have to find a way to move forward and make sure this never happens again. In my opinion, this is a social issue and needs to be addressed beyond cricket,” Root added.
“That being said, we as a sport all have to do more. How can we help shape things to move forward in a positive way? What can everyone from the ECB, counties, players, officials and others in the sport to improve? What is the state of the game? Certainly I do not have all the answers, but I believe that we must educate more and before; we must say it immediately and have our eyes and ears more open. “
