I used to be residing my household’s dream as knowledgeable cricketer, however inside I used to be dying, stated Azeem Rafiq.© AFP
Former England U-19 spinner Azeem Rafiq claimed that in his stint with county membership Yorkshire he considered killing himself as a result of alleged racism. “I understand how shut I used to be to committing suicide throughout my time at Yorkshire. I used to be residing my household’s dream as knowledgeable cricketer, however inside I used to be dying. I used to be dreading going to work. I used to be in ache daily,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Rafiq as saying. The participant additionally alleged that he felt like an outsider within the facet as there was no one from an identical background.
“There have been occasions I did issues to try to slot in that, as a Muslim, I now look again on and remorse. I am not pleased with it in any respect. However as quickly as I finished attempting to slot in, I used to be an outsider. There have been no coaches on the employees from an identical background who understood what it was like,” he added.
Former Yorkshire skipper Rafiq was very a lot shocked by the membership’s method in direction of his complaint. The participant’s allegations weren’t addressed by the membership authorities.
“Yorkshire does not need to pay attention and so they do not need to change. And a part of the rationale for that’s the individuals who have been concerned within the incidents I am speaking about are nonetheless on the membership. They only need to sweep it beneath the carpet,” Rafiq stated.
“Have a look at the info and figures. Have a look at a squad {photograph}. Have a look at the coaches. What number of non-white faces do you see? Regardless of the ethnic range of the cities in Yorkshire, regardless of the love for the sport from Asian communities, how many individuals from these backgrounds are making it into the primary staff?” he added.
The 29-year-old now pursues a profession away from the sport and hopes to “stop anybody else feeling the identical ache.”
“It”s apparent to anybody who cares that there is a drawback. Do I believe there may be institutional racism? It is at its peak for my part. It”s worse than it”s ever been. My solely motivation now could be to forestall anybody else feeling the identical ache,” he stated.
In response to the ESPNcricinfo report, Yorkshire have up to now declined to make a public response to Rafiq”s claims.
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