Azeem Rafiq is accused of sending Whatsapp messages that were allegedly obscene to a teenage girl.
Gayathri, then 16 years old, said to the Yorkshire Post that she had received text messages from Gayathri about her kissing and inviting her for dinner. This was after having met Gayathri on a flight in 2015 from Manchester to Dubai.
Rafiq apologized last week for posting anti-semitic comments on Facebook following his descriptions of racism at Yorkshire Cricket Club, where he named many top cricketers.
In shocking testimony before MPs, Rafiq broke down in tears as he made racial discrimination claims against Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard, Alex Hales, Gary Ballance and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.
The spin bowler turned racism whistleblower also claimed the word P*** was ‘used constantly’ during his time at Yorkshire CCC as he gave explosive testimony to MPs.
One shocking fact he shared was that he had red wine forced down his throat when he turned 15 years old. He is a practicing Muslim and was a member of his local soccer team. This happened before 2012, which he said he did ‘to fit in’.
Rafiq, however, is the object of more claims from Yorkshire media about his character after his whistleblowing caused shockwaves in the sport.
Gayathri Ajith stated that she was 16 when Azeem Raffiq met her on a flight between Manchester, Dubai and Dubai in 2015. She said the cricketer propositioned Gayathri as she drank vodka and coke.
Ms. Ajith said she had received messages from the ex-Yorkshire cricketer in December 2015, when she was 24 years old.
According to messages, Rafiq stated to his girl that he wanted her to go on an airplane.
Continued the message: “I want you to grab me push you up against the wall and kiss your face.”
Ms. Ajith claims that Mr Rafiq asked her to go with him to Dubai for dinner.
According to her, she told the cricketer she was 17, so that she would ‘appear older’.
Ms. Ajith received the messages and replied, “Does it surprise you that I’m just 17?”
According to Mr Rafiq, he replied: “Does that mean it is not permitted to want to touch me… would u allow me to kiss you?”
Now 22, Ms. Ajith said that the messages seemed ‘creepy. Ms Ajith responded to this proposition by saying, “How can I tell that you aren’t an absolute pervert?”
A spokesperson from Rafiq’s legal team stated that the matter was brought to our attention late Friday night. This is something we need to investigate, and can’t comment on it for the moment.
MailOnline was able to contact his legal team, who confirmed that they were looking into the matter but refused to provide further information.
Rafiq, who whistleblowers sent shockwaves through sport, is the object of more claims from Yorkshire media.
Ms Asjith spoke to the Yorkshire Post and said that she was shocked at the crudeness of the messages. They were very vulgar.
“I don’t dispute any of his racist claims. They’re true. However, certain parts of his statements don’t sit well with me.
“If he were being forced to drink, it wouldn’t mean that he’d be alone on a flight drinking and encouraging a 17 year-old girl with him to do the same.
This week, the former Yorkshire spinner was praised for his efforts to highlight racial discrimination within cricket. However, he had to face his past mistakes before appearing before a select committee of parliamentarians.
The Times revealed a historical exchange that Rafiq had with Ateq Javid (ex-Warwickshire, Leicestershire) ahead of Friday’s game-wide meeting.
On Twitter, the 30-year old wrote: “I am ashamed about this exchange and have now removed it so that not to cause any further offence,”
Gayathri Anjith said that she had received messages from former Yorkshire cricketer, in December 2015.
“I was only 19 years old at that time, and today I believe and hope I’m a better person. I’m incredibly mad at myself, and I offer my sincere apologies to everyone in the Jewish community who has been wrongly offended.
“At no stage will I ever attempt to defend what is indefensible. To those whom I’ve hurt, I am deeply sorry.
“I will not be ashamed of any mistakes that I make.”
He said that the circumstances were different in an interview with The Jewish Chronicle. It wasn’t the same as playing with someone Jewish. However, I refuse to downplay it. People have hurt me. The truth is, I feel that the flak deserves it. I f***ed up.’
He said that his remarks were not comparable to racist abuse that he received. However, he pointed out that red wine was forced into his stomach by his Muslim faith which prohibited him from drinking alcohol.
Rafiq stated to the JC that he was deeply sorry. While I do not recall any antisemitic remarks in the past, I’ll be back to think about them. My entire life will be retraced by others looking for the things that I have done. I admit I’ve made mistakes.’
A spokesperson for Mr Rafiq told MailOnline: ‘This was put to us late on a Friday evening. It is an issue that we are investigating and cannot discuss further.
“I deserve the flack.” I f***ed up’: Azeem Rafiq asks British Jews for forgiveness over his anti-Semitic comments… but insists they were NOT as bad as the racism he suffered in cricket
Azeem Rafiq, a cricketer (pictured), fought back tears when MPs made shocking accusations of institutional racism at heart of English football
Azeem Rafiq today begged British Jews to forgive him as he admitted he ‘f***ed up’ and ‘deserves the flak’ over anti-Semitic tropes sent in messages to a teammate – but the ex-cricketer insisted his words ‘do differ’ from the racism he suffered for years at Yorkshire.
Mr Rafiq Atif Sheikh was an Asian cricketer, playing for Derbyshire. They also made derogatory remarks about him, accusing him of not paying his dinner bill, claiming he was a Jew.
Rafiq, then 19, wrote on Facebook: ‘Hahaha he is a Jew. My 2nd is being pursued by the police again. Later, he added that he was wrong. Only Jews do that sort of s**t.’
He said that the circumstances were different in an interview with The Jewish Chronicle. I doubt I have ever been able to play with anyone Jewish. It wasn’t the same. However, I refuse to downplay it. People have hurt me. The truth is, I feel that the flak deserves it. I f***ed up.’
But he told the newspaper that his comments were not equivalent to the racist abuse he suffered, pointing out that he had red wine forced into his mouth when his Muslim faith prevented him from drinking booze.
He replied, “I am deeply sorry. Although I can’t remember making other antisemitic comments, I will go back to it. My whole life is going to be scrutinized by people looking back at the wrongs I did. I admit I’ve made mistakes.’