Yorkshire to investigate as ex-academy player alleges racial abuse

Yorkshire County Cricket Club are facing a new accusation of racial abuse in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq case, which has rocked the sport

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Yorkshire County Cricket Club face a new allegation of racial abuse after a former academy player claimed a staff member once used a term referencing his Pakistani heritage to criticise his style with the bat.

The club and the sport as a whole has been rocked following stinging criticism over their treatment of Azeem Rafiq, after an investigation found the all-rounder was the victim of “racial harassment and bullying” during his two stints with the county.

Despite this, it was announced no disciplinary action would take place, a decision that caused uproar and subsequently led to the resignation of chairman Roger Hutton.

His replacement, Lord Patel, publicly apologised to Rafiq on Monday and said an employment tribunal had been settled with the 30-year-old, who he praised for having the bravery to speak out.

Rafiq responded by releasing a statement vowing to continue to fight against racial injustice.

Now, Irfan Amjad, who was at the club when he was 16, has made further a revelation, relating to a time he was caught out after playing an aggressive stroke in a home game.

“I was making my way to the dressing room and as I got in, when I started taking my helmet and pads off, the individual came marching through the door and he looked me dead in the eyes,” he recalled to BBC Sport.

Amjad then said the individual used a racist term in reference to “a typical shot” played by those of Pakistani heritage.

“And he just left,” Amjad continued.

“I was stunned, didn’t know what to do and was shocked. I had never been directly racially insulted like that to my face. I didn’t know what to do.

“Even before the incident I felt distant, it happened and then I felt isolated after that. Going forwards, I didn’t feel I could speak up or give my views on the game in team meetings.”

Amjad said that it crossed his mind to report the insult, but admitted “I was a 16-year-old boy and I didn’t know what to do”, so opted to keep the incident to himself.

However, he conceded that had he opened up, those that experienced “similar issues” may also have felt inclined to come forward.

Yorkshire have since issued a statement: “It is essential that those who have experienced racism, discrimination and abuse are able to come forward to share their experiences.

“We were unaware of this allegation until now but will investigate appropriately.”

Amjad is the third former Yorkshire player to publicly disclose allegations of racism at the club. Following Rafiq, ex-Pakistan seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan also alleged racism at the club, citing the “systematic taunting” that took place.