ECB lifts international match ban on Yorkshire imposed after racism row

The England
and Wales Cricket Board on Friday ended the international match ban on the Yorkshire
County Cricket Club, which was imposed following the racism controversy
surrounding former all-rounder Azeem Rafiq.

In a statement,
the ECB said the decision was made after a “rigorous review of progress made
against several criteria set out in November 2021 to tackle racism at the club.”

The statement
further said that while the board “acknowledged the hard work and good progress”
made by Yorkshire, their decision has been conditional on three requirements
that are to be implemented by March 31 this year.

These
requirements include resolving issues related to rule changes and decisions at
the County – which have been subject to procedural flaws, as well as amendments
to club rules related to appointment and operation of its board.

“YCCC has
also made a number of longer-term commitments including: fully delivering on
governance reforms; appointing a new Board to drive and be accountable for the
change required; making Headingley a welcoming and inclusive experience on
match days, including a zero-tolerance approach to incidents of discrimination;
significant changes to the County Age Group Pathway for boys and girls to
remove barriers to progression; and delivering on all other commitments in the
ECB’s 12-point plan to tackle discrimination,” the ECB said.

The Headingley
Cricket Ground will now host England’s third Test against New Zealand in June
as well as an ODI against South Africa in July.

Rafiq also praised the decision to lift the ban, saying the County has made significant progress under the leadership of Kamlesh Patel, Lord of Bradford and chairman of YCCC. 

Pakistan-born Rafiq last year accused the County of failing to address the abuse he was subjected to during his time as a player, which he said drove him to suicidal thoughts. Yorkshire issued an apology for the player in September but said they will not take any disciplinary action against any of their staff. 

The ban on Yorkshire for hosting England matches was imposed in November, after the ECB deemed YCCC’s handling of the situation as “unacceptable”. Hours before the ban, former England batsman Gary Ballance had admitted to using racial slurs against Rafiq and said he regretted doing so.