‘A clear agenda’ to undermine Yorkshire reform in wake of racism scandal, says chairman Lord Patel

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Lord Patel was appointed President of Yorkshire in November

A group of individuals are “actively seeking to delay and derail” reform at Yorkshire in the wake of the club’s race scandal, chairman Lord Patel has said.

This week it emerged that the club’s former management had failed to file the club’s amended rules with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Former Yorkshire chairman Robin Smith told the Yorkshire Postexternal link that meant Patel’s appointment in November was “invalid”.

But Patel claims there is a ‘clear agenda to undermine the club’.

In a statement, he said the agenda is “driven by opposition to our progress and a desire to maintain an outdated status quo.”

“It’s disheartening and pernicious in the same way,” Patel said.

“We have become aware of a small group of individuals who have indicated that in seeking progress and change for the better, ‘the lamb that is Yorkshire Cricket Club must be sacrificed on the altar of Black Lives Matter”. This is unacceptable in every way.

“This group is actively seeking to delay and derail essential reforms and therefore the return of international cricket by arguing issues of process, without presenting a positive alternative.”

In September 2021, a report from Yorkshire revealed that former player Azeem Rafiq, who played for the club between 2008 and 2018, was the victim of “racial harassment and bullying”.

Rafiq was born in Pakistan and moved to England when he was 10 years old. He captained England sides at youth level and also captained Yorkshire in 2012.

However, in September 2020, following an initial interview with Wisdenexternal-link, Rafiq told ESPN Cricinfoexternal-link that the “institutional racism” he encountered while at the club left him on the verge of breaking down. commit suicide.

He told BBC Sport he dreaded “every second” of his career and a team-mate used a racist term linked to his Pakistani heritage.

In January, Rafiq said Yorkshire had taken “a step in the right direction” and that his suspension from hosting England matches should be lifted.

Head coach Andrew Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon were among 16 people to leave Yorkshire amid the racism scandal, with Gale being replaced by former West Indies all-rounder Ottis Gibson in January.

Rafiq himself apologized and said he was “deeply ashamed” of using anti-Semitic language in Facebook posts from 2011.

“Lord Patel’s comments seek to hurt me for drawing attention to his own failures” – Smith

Yorkshire were forced to cancel a key meeting on Wednesday after discovering it had not been properly called.

But Patel added that the club planned to discuss with members whether the effect of registering the changed rules with the FCA had the effect of validating actions up to the date of the changes, or only from the date. of registration (January 31, 2022).

He also said that Smith was “actively working with the sole intention of destabilizing and even destroying this club rather than seeing it change”.

In response to Patel’s statement, Smith said: “Lord Patel’s comments seek to hurt my feelings for drawing attention to his own failures.

“Members will in due course have the opportunity to pass judgment on Lord Patel’s actions since November last year and their huge financial consequences for the club (currently estimated at over £3m).

“In the meantime, he should focus on correcting the club’s legal situation in a timely manner.”

Chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Julian Knight MP, described this week’s developments as “deeply concerning if what is being reported is an accurate picture of what is happening in Yorkshire .

“Lord Patel is talking about an agenda to undermine the progress he is making to fight racism. Anyone who seeks to subvert his work must be called out and held accountable,” Knight said.

“Azeem Rafiq’s experience represented a watershed moment for cricket in England – it cannot be lost due to the unacceptable motives of individuals who seem willing to go to great lengths to preserve the status quo.

“The future of Yorkshire County Cricket Club now hangs in the balance.”

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