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
James Vince and Liam Dawson do the damage in Hampshire’s rout of Essex
The visitors bowled out the hosts for just 96.
-
News
Ollie Pope says entertainment matters as England close in on win against Ireland
Pope and Ben Duckett went big at Lord’s but some players will go into the Ashes series with minimal time in the middle.
-
News
Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett move England close to big win over Ireland at Lord’s
Duckett blitzed 182 before Pope struck a maiden double century in Test cricket on another trademark day of ‘Bazball’ cricket.
-
News
England declare with victory in sight after Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett heroics
Pope’s brilliant 205 backed up Duckett’s record-breaking 182 against Ireland at Lord’s.
-
News
Ben Duckett breaks Lord’s record as Ollie Pope piles on runs for bullish England
Pope closed in on a maiden 200 for England after Duckett’s explosive 182 against Ireland at Lord’s.
-
News
Ben Duckett leads the way with record hundred as England turn screw on Ireland
Duckett plundered an unbeaten 161 off 160 balls, the fastest 150 in a Lord’s Test, on a wicketless morning for Ireland.
-
News
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne ‘as hungry as ever’ to score runs
Australia’s packed summer schedule begins next week against India before they face England in a bid to retain the Ashes.
-
T20 Blast
Dawid Malan leads Yorkshire to Roses win as Jos Buttler fails to fire Lancashire
After Malan hit a superb 83 off 50 balls in the Vikings’ 195 for six.
-
England
Almost perfect start to big summer – Stuart Broad hails dominant England display
Broad’s five-wicket haul was followed by half-centuries for Zak Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett (60) at Lord’s.
-
England
England openers shine after Stuart Broad takes five on first day against Ireland
Broad claimed five for 51 to dismiss Ireland for 172 before England closed on 152 for one.