Yorkshire racism scandal – A timeline of the deep-rooted crisis

The fallout from the racism crisis in county cricket sparked by allegations from former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq has continued with the England and Wales Cricket Board charging the county and a “number of individuals” on Wednesday.
Here, the PA news agency provides a timeline of the developments in the affair so far.
September 2, 2020 – Rafiq tells ESPNcricinfo that he contemplated committing suicide during his time at Yorkshire because of “institutional racism” at the county.

September 3, 2020 – Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton confirms a formal investigation into Rafiq’s claims will be launched.
September 5, 2020 – Law firm Squire Patton Boggs is hired by Yorkshire to lead the independent investigation.
November 13, 2020 – Rafiq reveals details of the racism he faced at Yorkshire, saying non-white players were called “P***s” and “elephant washers”. He also highlights a drinking culture at the club that is insensitive to Muslim attitudes to alcohol.
December 14, 2020 – Rafiq files a legal claim against Yorkshire under the Equality Act, claiming direct discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race, as well as victimisation and detriment as a result of his efforts to address racism at the club.

June 17, 2021 – Yorkshire confirm they have failed to “resolve the issues between the club and Azeem Rafiq” through the process of judicial mediation. The case remains within the employment tribunal process.
August 18, 2021 – England and Wales Cricket Board chair Ian Watmore calls on Yorkshire to provide a copy of the investigation’s findings after the county takes receipt of its report. Rafiq reveals his exasperation with continued delays to the process.
August 19, 2021 – Rafiq accuses Yorkshire of “fudging” his claims of institutional racism after the county apologise to the former spinner for being the “victim of inappropriate behaviour” but insist “many of the allegations were not upheld”.
September 8, 2021 – Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair Julian Knight MP tells Yorkshire to publish the report into Rafiq’s claims of racism, stating: “It is crucial that the process, the report and its full findings are made public and open to scrutiny.”

September 10, 2021 – Yorkshire release a summarised version of the report, where they apologise and accept Rafiq had been the victim of “racial harassment and bullying”, but after only seven of Rafiq’s 43 allegations were upheld. The county insist there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove institutionalised racism.
October 7, 2021 – A spokesperson for Rafiq accuses Yorkshire of “protecting the players and a coach who they now acknowledge used either racist language or were bullying”.
October 28, 2021 – Yorkshire announce no individuals will face disciplinary action.
November 2, 2021 – ESPNcricinfo reveals further details of the report into Rafiq’s claims, which includes the admission of one senior player that he used the word “P***” in reference to Rafiq, but Yorkshire conclude the incidents in question amounted to “friendly banter”. Amid growing political pressure, chairman Hutton is called to face the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
We have taken the decision to remove our brand association with YCCC and Headingley Stadium. We do not tolerate any form of racism or discriminatory behaviour. We hope that YCCC will respond with serious action and uphold the values we all expect. https://t.co/mQ7LliDac9
— Emerald Publishing (@EmeraldGlobal) November 3, 2021
November 3, 2021 – Emerald Group Publishing, Yorkshire Tea and Anchor Butter all end their association with Yorkshire over the handling of Rafiq’s allegations. Former England batter Gary Ballance reveals he used “a racial slur” against Rafiq but claimed both men “said things privately to each other which were not acceptable”.
November 4, 2021 – The ECB suspends Yorkshire from hosting international or major matches while Ballance is “suspended indefinitely” from England selection.
November 5, 2021 – Hutton resigns as Yorkshire chairman along with two board members. Lord Patel is appointed as the new chair. Former Yorkshire all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claims he heard Michael Vaughan make inappropriate comments to Asian players at the club, something which Rafiq had also alleged and which Vaughan denies.
November 11, 2021 – Mark Arthur resigns as Yorkshire chief executive after director of cricket Martyn Moxon is signed off with a “stress-related illness”.
November 12, 2021 – Essex chairman John Faragher resigns following a historic allegation of racist language used by him at a board meeting in 2017. Three Essex players – Jahid Ahmed, Zoheb Sharif and Maurice Chambers – later allege they suffered racial abuse at the club.
November 15, 2021 – Adil Rashid joins Rana in backing Rafiq’s claim related to Vaughan. The trio allege Vaughan said in front of a group of Yorkshire players of Asian ethnicity: “Too many of your lot, we need to do something about it.”
November 16, 2021 – Rafiq provides explosive details of his time at Headingley at a DCMS select committee hearing and also suggests the racially derogatory use of the term ‘Kevin’ by Ballance was “an open secret in the England dressing room.” He also alleges another former England batter, Alex Hales, gave a dog the name because it was black. Later, his statement from his settled employment tribunal with Yorkshire reveals damning allegations against Ballance, Moxon, Andrew Gale, Tim Bresnan and Matthew Hoggard. Broadcaster David Lloyd also apologises for comments he made.
November 17, 2021 – Hales “categorically and absolutely denies” Rafiq’s assertions while former Yorkshire captain David Byas, who was also named in the select committee hearing as being “known” for using racist phrases, also denies any wrongdoing.
November 18, 2021 – Rafiq issues an apology after it is revealed he sent anti-Semitic messages to a fellow player more than a decade earlier.
Following an all-game meeting at The Kia Oval, cricket today committed to taking wide-ranging action to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion and diversity at all levels.
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) November 19, 2021
November 19, 2021 – The game’s stakeholders hold a crisis meeting after which ECB chief executive Tom Harrison promises “wide-ranging action to tackle discrimination”.
November 27, 2021 – Vaughan, who was stood down by the BBC for its winter coverage of the Ashes, apologises to Rafiq for the suffering he experienced during his time at Yorkshire but denies making the comments attributed to him.
February 11, 2021 – After a number of changes instigated by new chairman Lord Patel, Yorkshire’s international status is restored, but on the condition certain reforms are completed.
April 1, 2022 – Yorkshire members vote overwhelming for the changes which will allow Headingley to stage international matches.

May 5, 2022 – Essex are fined GBP 50,000 and reprimanded after accepting two charges relating to the alleged historic racist comment by Faragher.
May 31, 2022 – The ECB reveals Essex have been placed in a “non-compliance process” after falling “significantly short” of targets to tackle racism and promote inclusion and diversity set after Rafiq’s testimony to MPs. They are warned they could face sanctions.
June 15, 2022 – The ECB charges Yorkshire and “a number of individuals” following an investigation into Rafiq’s allegations.
Latest
-
News
Marizanne Kapp steers South Africa out of trouble after England’s flying start
Kapp hit 150 from 213 deliveries as England ushered in a new era with four debutants, three taking their maiden Test wickets.
-
News
Marizanne Kapp century rescues South Africa after England make flying start
Kapp made 150 to help the tourists recover from 45 for four.
-
News
Style not stats key to breaking into rejuvenated England team, says Ben Stokes
New captain Stokes has led England to a 3-0 Test series win over New Zealand.
-
News
Bairstow brilliance and fast finishes – The stats behind England’s new era
The hosts turned on the style in their 3-0 series win over New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root lead England to whitewash victory over New Zealand
England needed just 15.2 overs to win.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: International career with England in pictures
England white ball captain Eoin Morgan is set to announce his retirement from international cricket.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: The key moments in the reign of England captain
Morgan has played a record 248 one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Eoin Morgan set to announce international retirement on Tuesday
The 35-year-old led England to the 2019 World Cup title.
-
England
Jack Leach enjoying life in ‘extremely positive’ England set-up
Leach’s first 10-wicket Test match haul and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root have left England on course for a 3-0 series win.
-
County Cricket
Hashim Amla and Ben Geddes hit hundreds as Surrey take control against Kent
The pair produced a third-wicket stand of 213 after the hosts were asked to bat.