Clacton MP says ECB did not do enough to help Azeem Rafiq in racism row
Giles Watling, was part of the committee that heard evidence from the former off-spinner about the racism he faced at Yorkshire cricket
Former Yorkshire Cricket Club off-spinner Azeem Rafiq gave evidence to Parliament yesterday about the institutional racism he faced during his two stints with the club.
The MP for Clacton-on-Sea, Giles Watling is on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee that heard Mr Rafiq's testimony.
He said: "I'm devastated how this young man's dream was shattered on the rocks of racism and bullying", he told us after the hearing. Incidents like him being forced to consume alcohol at 15 years old and the club not taking appropriate care of his diet, along with the constant name-calling and use of the word P***, is just totally unacceptable."
Mr Rafiq alleged that he was subjected to racist language aimed at his Pakistani heritage, throughout his two spells at the club, which left him feeling "isolated" and "humiliated".
He added that former Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance frequently referred to players of colour as Kevin, in a derogatory manner, with Alex Hales even naming his black-coloured dog Kevin.
"It is disgusting how much of a joke it became", he said.
Mr Watling believes that these comments and behaviours were emblematic of the toxic culture that dominates the sport: "This institutionalised racism and laddish culture, I find it totally unacceptable.
"What makes it even worse is the fact that it seemed to be acceptable by the people at the club. It wasn't commented on or called out as being problematic."
Mr Rafiq described the treatment he received from the club during the still-birth of his son as "inhuman" and said that current Yorkshire director of Cricket, Martyn Moxon "tore a strip off him" following the event.
He went on to say that he was let down by Yorkshire Cricket Club's inaction on the issue and that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Professional Cricketer's Association had failed to offer him any support.
Mr Watling agrees with that assessment: "I don't think the ECB have done enough. And quite rightly they are to be castigated. They are the regulatory body and didn't do what was right.
"Certainly Yorkshire Cricket are culpable. When, in their original report, they said they weren't going to bring anybody to task over this, that's wrong on every level and allows this culture to continue."
In the last week, Essex Cricket club have also found themselves engulfed in a storm over allegations that former players used racist language. Mr Watling hopes that the Chelmsford based team were watching. He added that there were lessons to be learnt about how to properly investigate claims of racism, based on how Yorkshire Cricket mismanaged the situation.
So what can be done about the issue of racism in cricket?
Mr Watling says:"I think it comes from the top to a great extent. So yes, the ECB must take strong action. Clubs like Yorkshire and Essex must all get sensible and get real about the issue and take measures to address these issues.
"It's also down to each one of us as individuals and always call out racism whenever we see it."
For fans and players left disillusioned by recent events, he has the following message: "Cricket is the most wonderful game. It's spread across the world and it is open to everyone. It is diverse and open to people from all sexes, races, creed or colour.
"From this point let us move forward and unite against racism under the under the great title of cricket."