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 fined between £100,000 and £50,000, suspended for two years – After pleading responsible to a cost of breaching Directive 3.3 “regarding the systematic use of racist and/or discriminatory language and/or conduct between 2001 and 2010”.
A report by an impartial panel of the Cricket Disciplinary Committee (CDC) concluded that the size of time lined 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 was not deducted any factors, whereas Yorkshire had been deducted factors and handed a heavier tremendous following an investigation made public by Rafiq in July final 12 months. Accusations of racism at club.
“Fines are necessary and that is just the start,” Rafiq mentioned. sky sports activities information. “I am upset to not have been deducted, particularly once you evaluate it to Essex being deducted 12 factors just a few weeks in the past for utilizing a bat that was too massive.
“For my part, this sends the improper 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’ strategy to racism
Yorkshire had been docked 48 factors within the County Championship and 4 factors within the T20 Blast, fined between £400,000 and £300,000 and suspended following a long-running investigation into racism on the membership between 2004 and 2021. Two years.
Yorkshire deducted 48 County Championship factors in 2023 after admitting 4 fees of breaching ECB Directive 3.3
In its written causes, the CR panel mentioned it couldn’t impose sporting sanctions corresponding to 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 lately to enhance fairness, range and inclusion.
ECB chief govt Richard Gould mentioned: “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 important that as a sport we hear and study 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 really not that good. Particularly in cricket, Richard In his assertion, De Gould talked about racism having no place in our sport, however sadly the truth is that racists do it.
“These perpetrators of racist abuse had been in management positions at county golf equipment and had been working with kids. For my part this isn’t zero tolerance.
“Sadly, in cricket, their phrases and actions are inconsistent. If you say we wish to be essentially the most inclusive sport, I do not assume that is what they actually imply.”
