Six former Yorkshire players sanctioned by CDC in Azeem Rafiq racism case

The six former Yorkshire players found guilty of using racist language in the Azeem Rafiq case have received their sanctions from the Cricket Discipline Commission, including combined fines of GBP 22,000.
Ex-England batter Gary Ballance admitted charges levied against him as part of Rafiq’s claims of institutional discrimination and bullying during his time at Headingley, while former Ashes winners Matthew Hoggard and Tim Bresnan joined Andrew Gale, John Blain and Richard Pyrah in withdrawing from proceedings in protest.
In their absence, all five were found to have breached ECB directive 3.3. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of using racist language and bringing the game into disrepute after opting to defend himself at the hearing in March.

None of the six sanctioned on Friday are currently active in professional cricket but have been strongly advised to “undertake an appropriate racism/discrimination education course identified by the ECB” at their own expense.
Ballance, who briefly reignited his international career with Zimbabwe before retiring from the sport last month, has been handed a notional six-match suspension, which would only come into effect should he return to English cricket, as well as a GBP 3,000 fine.
Bresnan and Hoggard both picked up GBP 4,000 fines, with Bresnan also served with a three-match suspension despite retiring in 2022.
Gale, who lost his job as Yorkshire’s head coach as a result of the case, has a four-week coaching ban and a GBP 6,000 fine. Former pace bowling coach Pyrah has a two-week coaching ban and a GBP 2,500 fine while Blain has been ordered to pay GBP 2,500.
The independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has today published its sanction decisions in relation to six former Yorkshire County Cricket Club players and coaches.
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) May 26, 2023
The individuals have until June 9 to lodge an appeal, though whether those who removed themselves from proceedings will do so, or admit liability for the fines, remains to be seen.
Former Scotland international Blain, who has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help fund him challenge the verdict, told the PA news agency: “I received legal advice not to participate in this process as it was so irredeemably flawed that I would not receive a fair hearing. This advice has proved depressingly accurate.
“I am entirely innocent of these false allegations and have launched a GoFundMe appeal to fund legal action to clear my name and am grateful for the many, many people across the cricketing community and beyond who have helped me reach over GBP 22,000 towards my GBP 100,000 total.”
The sanction hearing for Yorkshire, who have separately admitted four breaches, will be held on June 27.
Latest
-
News
Chris Woakes says omission from England Test tour of India ‘a fair decision’
Woakes is satisfied to focus on white-ball cricket for the next few months.
-
News
Jofra Archer bowling haul in Barbados school game surprises England chiefs
Archer continues his rehabilitation from the latest setback in his right elbow.
-
News
Jahid Ahmed says Essex sharing full racism report would provide ‘some closure’
A summary report of Katharine Newton KC’s findings was published on Friday afternoon.
-
News
Rookie spinner Shoaib Bashir handed shock call-up for England tour of India
The 20-year-old off-spinner only made his LV= Insurance County Championship bow in June.
-
News
Spinner Shoaib Bashir handed shock England call-up for India tour
The 20-year-old off-spinner has made just six senior red-ball appearances.
-
England
Ben Duckett helps England rally to 206 in ODI series decider against West Indies
The tourists had slumped to 49 five in the 10th over.
-
England
England lose ODI series as West Indies chase reduced target
Jos Buttler out first ball as top-order collapse leaves England with mountain to climb in Barbados.
-
England
West Indies loss ‘start of a new journey’ for England insists Jos Buttler
Captain believes Caribbean defeat will provide vital experience for team in post-World Cup reset.
-
Women's Cricket
England beaten in final match of T20 series as India claim consolation victory
Skipper Heather Knight top-scored with 52.
-
England
Matthew Mott: Change of format can rejuvenate Jos Buttler
Buttler’s World Cup hangover followed him to the Caribbean with two single-figure scores.