Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur resigns over Azeem Rafiq racism scandal

Mark Arthur has stepped down from his role as chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal that has rocked the sport

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Yorkshire’s chief executive Mark Arthur has resigned from his role at the club with immediate effect following the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

Paul Hudson, the club’s current finance director, has been appointed as acting CEO in the interim.

In a statement, Arthur said: “I’ve had eight fantastic years at The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, working alongside an outstanding group of people, and together achieving many highlights.

“I would like to thank the Members for their support over this period and wish the Club all the very best in the years to come.”

New chairman Lord Kamlesh Patel said: “Today (11 November) the Board at Yorkshire County Cricket Club has accepted the resignation of Mark Arthur as CEO. We thank him for his tenure.

“This is an important moment for the Club which is ready to move forward with new leadership, which will be vital in driving the change we urgently need.

“We know there is still much work to be done and more difficult decisions to be made. We need to rebuild the trust of the fans, the cricketing world and the public.”

Rafiq has repeatedly called for Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon to step down, with a spokesperson releasing a statement last month, which read: “Several of the allegations by Azeem and others relate directly to the conduct of both Moxon and Arthur during their stewardship of the club.

“Both were at Yorkshire throughout Azeem’s second spell and at least part of the first – Moxon from 2007 and Arthur from 2013.

“In August 2018, when Azeem Rafiq raised concerns of racism there was a failure by the Club to follow its own policy or investigate these allegations.

“On a number of occasions prior to 2018 the Club could have done more to make Muslims more welcome within their stadiums and should have dealt better with complaints of racist or antisocial behaviour within those stadiums.

“These are extremely serious admissions. Given these failures happened under the watch of Arthur and Moxon, why are they still employed by the club?”

Yorkshire’s new chairman Lord Kamlesh Patel was asked about the future of senior leaders such as Arthur and Moxon during a press conference following his appointment.

“Leadership is important in any of these circumstances,” he replied. “But I need to look across the system and how people behaved, what made that happen and where we need to go next.”

Moxon is currently absent from work due to a “stress related illness” and Rafiq has called on him and several other members of Yorkshire staff to also step down.

In a statement, he said: “As Lord Patel said, this is just the start if we are to make cricket open to everyone, no matter their background.

“I urge others who have suffered to come forward. There is strength in numbers and I will be right behind you.

“Mark Arthur, Martyn Moxon and many of those in the coaching staff have been part of the problem.

“They have consistently failed to take responsibility for what happened on their watch and must go.

“I urge them to do the right thing and resign to make way for those who will do what is needed for the club’s future.”