Azim Rafiq criticized the choice to not deduct factors from Essex regardless of acknowledging systemic and long-standing racism and discrimination inside the membership.
Essex admitted a cost of breaching Directive 3.3 “referring to the systematic use of racist and/or discriminatory language and/or conduct between 2001 and 2010” and was fined £100,000, of which £50,000 was suspended for 2 years. Yr.
A report by an unbiased panel of the Cricket Disciplinary Committee (CDC) concluded that the size of time coated by the allegations and the systematic use of racist and discriminatory language confirmed a tradition “embedded” at most ranges of the membership.
The membership was additionally warned and reprimanded by cricket’s governing physique (CR) however not deducted factors, whereas Yorkshire had been docked factors and fined following an investigation into allegations of racism on the membership (made public by Rafiq) final July. Heavier fines.
“Fines are essential and that is just the start,” Rafiq stated. sky sports activities information. “I am disillusioned to not have been deducted, particularly if you examine it to Essex being deducted 12 factors a number of weeks in the past for utilizing a bat that was too huge.
“In my opinion, this sends the mistaken message. When the ECB talked about zero tolerance after the ICC report, their actions had been actually inconsistent with that.”
Rafiq questions cricket’s ‘zero tolerance’ method to racism
Yorkshire had been docked 48 factors within the County Championship, 4 factors within the T20 Blast and fined between £400,000 and £300,000 following a long-running investigation into racism on the membership between 2004 and 2021. Suspended for 2 years.
Yorkshire deducted 48 County Championship factors in 2023 after admitting 4 costs of breaching ECB Directive 3.3
In its written causes, the CR panel stated it couldn’t impose sporting sanctions reminiscent of factors deductions on Essex as a result of the breaches occurred earlier than 2020, when such powers had been included in its rules.
The panel additionally famous Essex’s early admission of the allegations and famous that they’ve remained cooperative and responsive all through the investigation. Essex County has additionally been praised by the CDC for its work in recent times to enhance fairness, variety and inclusion.
ECB chief government Richard Gould stated: “Racism has no place in our sport. I’m deeply involved about what those that have skilled racism in Essex have skilled and what this conduct can turn into. Shocked by the best way it was normalized.
“It is vital that as a sport we pay attention and be taught from their experiences and guarantee nobody suffers like this once more.”
Requested how the battle in opposition to racism in cricket had progressed since his expertise at Yorkshire, Rafiq added: “It is truly not that good. Particularly in cricket, Richard In his assertion, de Gould talked about how racism has no place in our sport, however sadly the fact is that’s what racists do.
“These perpetrators of racist abuse had been in management positions at county golf equipment and had been working with youngsters. In my opinion this isn’t zero tolerance.
“Sadly, in cricket, their phrases and actions are inconsistent. While you say we need to be essentially the most inclusive sport, I do not suppose that is what they actually imply.”
