Harrogate Spring Water latest company to cut ties with Yorkshire County Cricket Club
It follows the club's handling of racist allegations against them
Last updated 4th Nov 2021
Harrogate Spring Water has become the latest organisation to cut ties with Yorkshire County Cricket Club for the way the it has dealt with racism allegations.
Yorkshire have taken no action after admitting their former player Azeem Rafiq was victim of "racial harassment and bullying", instead calling it "banter".
Harrogate Spring Water follows Yorkshire Tea, also based in the town, who also announced they would be ending their sponsorship deal.
In a statement Harrogate Spring Water, said: "We were deeply concerned at the details that have emerged in recent days surrounding the treatment of Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the way in which the club’s current leadership have handled the important issues that have been raised.
"As a result, Harrogate Spring Water has taken the decision to end its sponsorship agreement with the Club with immediate effect. We will be making no further comment on this matter."
In a statement released last night (Wednesday 3 November) Yorkshire Tea, said: "We were upset to read about the experiences of Azeem Rafiq during his time at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We wholeheartedly believe that cricket should be a sport for everyone, but his experiences and the way the panel report has been handled don't reflect that.
"Our current partnership with YCCC was naturally coming to an end but we have taken the decision to end it with immediate effect.
READ MORE: The key questions as sponsors cut ties with Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Sportswear giant Nike have also terminated their kit agreement with Yorkshire for the way the cricket club has dealt with the allegations.
It's the highest profile company to pull out of a partnership so far.
An unscheduled board meeting will take place tomorrow (Friday 5 November), while the sport's governing body is discussing the matter this evening.
Yesterday a cross party group of MPs in Yorkshire signed a joint letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board calling for an inquiry into the report carried out by the club.