Heads Should Roll At Yorkshire County Cricket Club, If ECB Doesn’t Take Action It’s Not Fit For Purpose – UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid

The Health Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK) Sajid Javid has asserted that “heads should roll” at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) after the racism, bullying and harassment allegations made by former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq.

Notably, Rafiq made allegations of racism and harassment against Yorkshire in August 2020, and an independent report authorized by the club assumed that he had been subject to “racial harassment and bullying”.

However, Yorkshire soon came up with a response and stated that they had “come to the conclusion that there is no conduct or action taken by any of its employees, players or executives that warrant disciplinary action.”

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid on racism:

Meanwhile, after ESPNCricinfo published the complete report regarding the matter, which stated that Azeem Rafiq has been called “a P***” several times, but it had been regarded to have been said in the spirit of “friendly banter”, the senior member of the Conservative Cabinet, Sajid Javid posted a Tweet:

“P***” is not banter. Heads should roll at Yorkshire CCC. If @ECB_cricket doesn’t take action it’s not fit for purpose.

“Paki” is not banter.

Heads should roll at Yorkshire CCC.

If @ECB_cricket doesn’t take action it’s not fit for purpose. https://t.co/guiMHVuGEe

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 2, 2021

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dories also expressed her views on this matter. She wrote:

Azeem Rafiq’s treatment after the racism he faced was disgusting, and the investigation that followed only makes it even worse. The @ECB_cricket investigation must be swift and fully transparent. Racism must be confronted, and NEVER written off as just “banter”.

Azeem Rafiq's treatment after the racism he faced was disgusting, and the investigation that followed only makes it even worse. The @ECB_cricket investigation must be swift and fully transparent. Racism must be confronted, and NEVER written off as just "banter". https://t.co/efN7xQIS6P

— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) November 2, 2021

After that England And Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement on November 2 stating that they will make sure that this matter is solved as soon as possible.

“We are conscious about the length of time that Azeem has waited for resolution and the toll that must be taking on his wellbeing and that of his family,” the statement read. “We are sorry that, as a sport, this has not yet been resolved.”

“We will conduct a full regulatory process that is fair to all parties, but also ensure this happens as quickly as possible. To achieve this, we have secured the services of a QC, along with other external investigatory support to upweight resource around our process. The ECB Board has also reaffirmed its commitment to further additional resource, should the investigation require it.” ECB Official Statement.

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