Essex Cricket chair steps aside just days after being appointed amid new racism scandal
Azeen Akhtar was appointed as the club tried to move on from a separate scandal involving former chair John Faragher
New Essex Cricket chairman Azeem Akhtar had decided to voluntarily step aside just days after being appointed, amid a new racism scandal at the club.
It's after allegations he liked anti-Semitic posts on social media, including a post that compared Israel and Nazi Germany.
It comes after an investigation by newspaper The Jewish Chronicle, which looked at Akhtar's history on social media.
In a statement on the Essex Cricket website, Azeem said: “I have taken the decision today to voluntarily step aside as Chair of Essex County Cricket Club while an independent review takes place into recent matters that have been raised.
“I have made the decision to initiate this review because it is important that I as Chair and Essex County Cricket Club more widely hold ourselves to the highest standards of governance and accountability.
"By stepping aside, I want to show leadership and ensure the Club can focus on the ongoing challenges it is tackling.
“I am resolutely committed to ensuring that Essex County Cricket Club is an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.”
Akhtar's appointment was only confirmed on Monday and came as the club tried to turn the page on a separate racism scandal involving former chair John Faragher.
He allegedly used a racist term during a board meeting in 2017, something he personally dienies.
The club was fined ÂŁ50,000 for failing to properly address the situation.