Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq has issued an apology for his anti-Semitic messages during his teenage days.
According to a report by Times newspaper, Rafiq’s older messages that were sent to former Leicestershire and Warwickshire player Ateeq Javid were uncovered.
Azeem Rafiq[photo: Twitter]
I am ashamed of this exchange: Azeem Rafiq
Rafiq was seen making derogatory comments about a Jewish person. The 30-year-old, who is of Pakistan descent, is currently observing a legal battle against Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Rafiq admitted to his own remarks and said he is ashamed of those comments while apologising for the same.
“I have gone back to check my account, and it is me — I have absolutely no excuses,” Rafiq issued a statement on his official Twitter account.
“I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence.
“I was 19 at the time, and I hope and believe I am a different person today. I am incredibly angry at myself, and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this,” he added.
I believe I lost my career to racism: Azeem Rafiq
During testimony to British Parliament, Rafiq said that his cricket career was ruined because of the racism he faced at Yorkshire.
“No one has ever been a whistleblower before. No one has ever dared to come forward because of the fear of not being believed. Do I believe I lost my career to racism? Yes, I do.
Azeem Rafiq (Image Credit: Twitter)
“Maybe what was written for me was this. I’m a massive believer that everything happens for a reason. I hope in five years we are going to see a big change, that I did something far bigger than any runs or any wickets I got.”
Azeem Rafiq Apologises For His Anti-Semitic Comments During His Teenage Days
Published - 19 Nov 2021, 02:04 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:01 AM
Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq has issued an apology for his anti-Semitic messages during his teenage days.
According to a report by Times newspaper, Rafiq’s older messages that were sent to former Leicestershire and Warwickshire player Ateeq Javid were uncovered.
I am ashamed of this exchange: Azeem Rafiq
Rafiq was seen making derogatory comments about a Jewish person. The 30-year-old, who is of Pakistan descent, is currently observing a legal battle against Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
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Rafiq admitted to his own remarks and said he is ashamed of those comments while apologising for the same.
“I have gone back to check my account, and it is me — I have absolutely no excuses,” Rafiq issued a statement on his official Twitter account.
“I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence.
“I was 19 at the time, and I hope and believe I am a different person today. I am incredibly angry at myself, and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this,” he added.
I believe I lost my career to racism: Azeem Rafiq
During testimony to British Parliament, Rafiq said that his cricket career was ruined because of the racism he faced at Yorkshire.
“No one has ever been a whistleblower before. No one has ever dared to come forward because of the fear of not being believed. Do I believe I lost my career to racism? Yes, I do.
“Maybe what was written for me was this. I’m a massive believer that everything happens for a reason. I hope in five years we are going to see a big change, that I did something far bigger than any runs or any wickets I got.”
Many former players like Alex Hales, Tim Bresnan, Michael Vaughan have denied the allegations by Rafiq to use racist slurs against him.
England commentator David Lloyd has admitted to using remarks against Asian players and also apologised for his mistake.
Also Read: David Lloyd Issues Apology To Azeem Rafiq For Distasteful Remark On Asian Players
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