Andrew Gale and Martyn Moxon among 16 to leave Yorkshire due to racism crisis
Yorkshire’s long-serving director of cricket Martyn Moxon and head coach Andrew Gale have become the latest high-profile departures in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism investigation.
The county announced a clear-out on Friday which includes the entire coaching team and made a pledge to appoint successors “imminently”.
Moxon had been signed off from work due to a stress-related illness since November 9 when Gale was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing into a historical social media post.
Their departures follow those of club president Roger Hutton, who stepped down on November 5, and chief executive Mark Arthur, who resigned a week later following widespread condemnation of Yorkshire over its handling of a racism investigation and the treatment of former player Rafiq .
Moxon, 61, was an opening batsman for Yorkshire from 1980-97 and returned to become director of cricket in 2007.
Gale, 37, was also an opening batsman and captained the team until his retirement at the end of the 2016 season when he was appointed as coach.
Both were heavily criticised at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport hearing at Westminster while Rafiq repeated his call for Arthur and Moxon to step down from their roles at the club.
“I don’t think Martyn and Andrew can (continue),” Rafiq said a month ago. “I don’t think it’s possible for Yorkshire to move forward with them in there, with them knowing full well what role they played in that institution.”
Yorkshire say the total number of departures is 16, including six members of the backroom medical team provided by Pavilion Physiotherapy Clinic, and that an interim medical team is in the process of being appointed.
Lord Patel, Yorkshire chair, said: “Significant change is required at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and we are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to regain trust.
“The decisions announced today were difficult to make, but are in the best interests of the club. Without making important changes to how we are run, we cannot move on from the past to become a culture which is progressive and inclusive.
“We want to make Yorkshire County Cricket Club a place for everyone, from all backgrounds. To do this, we need to rebuild our culture and instil positive values in everyone associated with Yorkshire.
“We are determined to learn from the mistakes of the past to become a club which people can trust.
“We are hoping to announce a new director of cricket in the coming days. We have a huge rebuilding job to do but we are confident that this heralds a step forward towards a brighter future.”
Latest
-
Women's Cricket
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.