Azeem Rahiq, a Holocaust survivor and spokesman for Azeem Rafiq, met Ruth Barnett today at the Jewish Museum London. It was one week since he apologized to his Facebook post that contained historical anti-Semitic remarks.
The 30-year-old cricketer-turned-whistleblower sat with Ms Barnett, a first generation survivor of the Holocaust who described how the anti-Semitic Nuremberg Laws which stripped her of German citizenship altered the course of her life.
In Berlin, she was born in 1935. She fled Germany in 1938 and reached Britain via the Kindertransport in 1939. This is an organised rescue effort which took place in the 9 months preceding the outbreak of World War Two. Later on in her career, she spoke about her personal experiences and other genocides.
Rafiq received a tour of museum. He was also shown artifacts related to the Holocaust, including a yellow Star. Steve Silverman from Campaign Against Antisemitism then explained the origins of antisemitic conspiracies including the connection between Jews and money.
After Rafiq’s shocking testimony to the MPs, in which he said that cricket was “institutionally racist”, it is now.
Rafiq had, at the age of 19, accused Atif Sheikh (an Asian cricketer playing for Derbyshire) of refusing to pay a meal bill as he was a Jew in messages to Ateq Javid.
“Hahahaha, he’s a Jew.” On Facebook, he posted: “Probs continue to pursue my 2nds,” and then added, “How absurd!” Only Jews do that sort of s***’.
Rafiq stated that he spoke with Atif and apologized for the things he said. He was extremely understanding. He was very understanding. Atif accepted my apology over the telephone.
Former Yorkshire spin bowler, the former Yorkshire player had caused a stir in sport by making racist allegations about cricket during a damning session of parliament.
Azeem Rahim Rafiq met Ruth Barnett today at the Jewish Museum London. The 30-year-old cricketer-turned-whistleblower sat with Ms Barnett, a first generation survivor of the Holocaust who described how the anti-Semitic Nuremberg Laws which stripped her of German citizenship altered the course of her life
Left: This exchange shows Rafiq (then 19) and Javid making insulting remarks about an Asian cricketer they claimed was not paying his dinner bill in 2011. Right: Rafiq apologized for past comments in a Twitter statement. He said he had deleted the exchange, and that he was a “different person today”.
Rafiq (pictured) was overcome with tears after MPs were made to hear shocking claims of institutional racism that lay at the core of English football.
MailOnline has learned that Javid and Rafiq made offensive comments about Atif Sheikh, a cricketer.
In shocking testimony, Rafiq broke down in tears as he told MPs that racism had destroyed his career and pointed the finger at Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard, Alex Hales, Gary Ballance and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd. Bresnan denied making racist remarks towards Rafiq.
He also claimed the word P*** was ‘used constantly’ during his time at Yorkshire CCC as he gave explosive testimony to MPs.
Rafiq shared a shocking story about having red wine forced down the throat of older teammates at his local soccer team as a 15-year-old Muslim. He had been drinking more since 2012, ‘to fit in’.
Reacting to Rafiq’s anti-Semitic slurs, Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said: ‘Azeem Rafiq has suffered terribly at the hands of racists in cricket so he will well understand the hurt this exchange will cause to Jews who have supported him.
“His sincere apology seems genuine and there is no reason for us to doubt his sincerity.”
Claudia Mendoza was co-chief executive for the Jewish Leadership Council. She added that although it is obvious that Azeem Rafiq feels awkward, he took full responsibility, apologized, and has undoubtedly, through his own experience, learned much about racism.
Rafiq issued a Twitter apology for making past remarks and stated that he had deleted those exchanges.
He said: ‘I was sent an image of this exchange from early 2011 today. The account is mine. No excuses. It is a shameful exchange that I made and it has been deleted to prevent further offence.
‘I was just 19 when I did it. I wish and believe that I have grown up to be a completely different person. This anger has caused me to be extremely angry and I apologize for my actions.
Later, he said: “At any point will I never try to defend the undefensible. To those whom I have wronged, I am deeply sorry. I will not be ashamed of any mistakes I made.
Rafiq stated that when Rafiq joined Yorkshire, he and the other Asian players were instructed to “sit next to the toilets” and called “elephant washers”. Ballance was also a target of his snide remarks.
He also said that Alex Hales called his Dobermann black ‘Kevin’ because his friend Ballance used the name to describe black people. And he hit out at current England Test captain Joe Root, claiming the batsman was on the nights out when he was called a ‘P***’.
Rafiq, who was a witness to the hearing’s wide range of topics, cried as he spoke out about the cruel treatment that he and his coaches gave him after his miscarriage.
His emotional testimony had to be brought to an abrupt halt by DCMS chair Julian Knight and adjourned for five minutes so the cricketer could recompose himself.
He also stated that “hundreds of thousands” of cricketers might now make racist claims, threatening to open the floodgates for victims of abuse.
Rafiq, in a horrifying 90-minute testimony before the Commons committee, recalled how he was treated at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Senior players were also accused of bullying him.
The 30-year-old said the word ‘P***’ was ‘used constantly’ in his time on the Yorkshire first team – and that racism continues to be rife in county teams across the country.
The hearing was stopped at one point when Rafiq, who had just lost his unborn baby, broke down and described his experience. A senior official instead of supporting him, he ‘ripped the shreds off’ Rafiq.
After a earlier year report found that he had been the victim of racism harassment and bullying, the cricketer gave evidence to MPs. However, the club stated they wouldn’t discipline any player. Other players dismissed the remarks as “banter”.
Rafiq, in a highly emotional account, stated that he lost his job to racism following a complaint regarding bullying. However, he hoped that speaking out would change things.
At the tender age of 15, a practicing Muslim, he told his story about being pinned down and having red wine dumped down his throat.
The man claimed racism had infiltrated the England dressing room. It was an ‘open secrets’ that Ballance used ‘Kevin” as an insulting word for Asian and black players. Ballance denied the allegation.
Hales stated that Alex Hales from England was alleged to have named his dog Kevin after the black breed. Hales strongly refuted the claims in a statement.
Rafiq also criticized other people who are not involved in racism for failing to recognize the harmful culture and do nothing to eradicate it.
Rafiq described Joe Root, England’s test captain and as “a good man” – and he was there when racist slurs occurred.
The problems began in Yorkshire CCC’s hierarchy, when he was called a troublemaker after complaining about teammate bullying. He was treated by Martyn Moxion, cricket director of Yorkshire Cricket Council. This led to the death of his unborn child.
He cried and said, “My first day back since losing Martyn Moxon was literally getting me into a room. It ripped all the pieces off of me.” It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my years at the club.
The England and Wales Cricket Board will be hosting a meeting at The Oval on Friday to test decision-makers.
Rafiq’s claims against Yorkshire set off a major controversy. However, the current racism crisis is now being handled by the governing body.
Representatives of 21 other non-first-class cricket boards will also be present. It is believed there are some concerns about the slow pace and inflexibility with which the scandal was dealt with.
The attendance is likely to bring down Tom Harrison, the chief executive at the ECB, who was also criticised for his inexplicable appearance in front of members of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s select committee following Rafiq.
Harrison is hoping to restore his confidence as the ECB’s interim chair. This comes after Ian Watmore’s departure.
Westminster’s agenda for cricket governance remains unchanged, and Nigel Huddleston, the minister of sport has suggested the possibility of an independent regulator if the current ECB system fails to address the problem of racism.
Rafiq spoke out to DCMS select committee, who interviewed Harrison. He said that cricket is fast approaching and we may well follow the same path.
“We have had open and honest conversations over the past few weeks with the ECB, as well as other cricket stakeholders. They have assured me that they are serious about the matter and will take action.
“Tom Harrison promised me that he would take this action with all his heart. He is aware that he must act fast. They will be judged on the basis of their actions and not their words. If they do not act in a timely manner, we will intervene.
Rafiq cited Lloyd as an example during his evidence before MPs. He alleged that Lloyd was involved in the ‘denials briefings cover-up, and smearing’ after he made public his racist complaints about Yorkshire.
He explained that high-profile media personalities had been messaging others in the media supporting me, saying things such as, The club houses and Asian members don’t get into them’, and ‘Getting subs from Asian players’.
Rafiq from Yorkshire plays bowls in the NatWest T20 Blast Semi Final against Durham, Edgbaston 2016
David Lloyd, Sky Cricket pundit and commentator has apologized after being named in the Azeem Rafiq racism storm.
Tom Harrison, the chief executive officer of England and Wales Cricket Board, (ECB), was one of those who were called before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Right: Roger Hutton (ex-chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club) was interviewed by MPs before being fired.
Rafiq said Alex Hales (england international tennis star) used the term Kevin for his dog. They were photographed together in an Instagram picture on Hales’ Instagram.
Gary Ballance (pictured playing for England against South Africa in July 2017) is among the cricket stars accused of being racist between 2008 and 2018 by Rafiq
“And then personally that guy is talking to me about my personal drinking and going out with friends. David Lloyd.
Rafiq shared the following with the DCMS: “Pretty soon on the club, I joined an dressing room filled of my heroes, Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard. It was part of 2005 Ashes team. It was the surrealest moment of my life.
“Pretty soon on, me, and others from an Asian heritage…there were comments like “you’ll be sitting over there near to the toilets” or “elephant washers”.
‘The word P*** was used constantly. It seemed that there was an acceptance of the institution by the leaders, and it wasn’t ever stamped out.
Rafiq said, “All I ever wanted was to play cricket for England, live my dreams and my family’s.”
He continued, “In my initial spell, I don’t really believe I realized what it was.” It seems that I was in denial.
According to him, he began medication for his declining mental health. He left Yorkshire in 2014 as a result.
He felt at first settled when he came back under coach Jason Gillespie and captain Alex Lees.
Rafiq stated that Jason left the house in 2016, and the room felt like the temperatures had been raised. Andrew Gale came in as coach while Gary Ballance served as captain.
‘For first time, I saw it as what it was. I felt alone and sometimes humiliated. Constant use of the word ‘P***’.’
Rafiq stated that Ballance had race abused him during a pre-season tour in 2017.
Gary Ballance comes over to Gary Ballance and says, “Why are you speaking to me?”
‘You know he’s a P***’. This was in front team-mates. The coaching staff was also present.
Ballance, an ex-england batter, admitted to using a “racial slur” towards Rafiq during a long statement this month. He apologised but said it was part of their friendship.
Rafiq stated to the committee that this was an inaccurate portrayal of their relationship. He said it had gone downhill since 2013 and became toxic in 2017.
Asking Mr Knight to comment on the term “Kevin”, he stated that it was offensively racist and had reached the top of the game.
Gary said that Kevin was “a thing Gary used to call anyone of color in very negative terms.” He said that it was an open secret within the England dressing rooms.
“Anyone who has ever met Gary will know that he used this phrase to describe people of color.
Rafiq also alleged former England batter Alex Hales was involved, saying: ‘Gary and Alex Hales got really close to each other when they played for England together.
“I was not present in the dressing room. But what I do understand is that Alex named his black dog Kevin. It was a terrible joke.
Rafiq (a Muslim) also shared his terrifying first encounter with alcohol when he was 15. He said, “I was pinned down at my local Cricket Club and red wine was poured down my throat. Literally down my throat.”
“The player was a Yorkshire-Hampshire footballer. I wasn’t able to drink until 2012 when I realized I needed to.
“I was not perfect. There were things that I did to realize my goals. It is something I regret deeply, but not because of racism.
“When I spoke, it should have been listened too. Listening to the victim is a major problem in this game. With racism, there aren’t ‘yeah buts’; racism has ‘both sides.
Rafiq stated that the problem in Yorkshire could be replicated “up and down the nation.”
Rafiq was asked about how others such as Maurice Chambers (ex-Northamptonshire and Essex player) had spoken out. He said that he saw it as progress because people feel like they have the ability to come forward. They will be heard, not discredit, smeared, and briefed.
He described the England and Wales Cricket Board’s initiatives to promote diversity as “box-ticking” exercises and “tokenism”. He stated that David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, an ex-england coach, had spoken about Rafiq’s drinking.
Rafiq hit out at England Test captain Joe Root (left), claiming he was on those nights out where he was called a ‘P***’. He later stated Root was a decent man. He said that Hales (right), an international celebrity, named his black puppy Kevin after Ballance. Ballance uses the term to refer to black people.
Rafiq claimed that Tim Bresnan was the one who bullied the star of 2017 and was also among the’six to seven’ members. Rafiq stated that Matthew Hoggard, right, had offered to apologise after seeing him interviewing him about his Yorkshire experience.
Michael Vaughan, former captain of England (pictured in 2018), has denied all claims against Rafiq and released a statement in the which he called the allegations ‘extremely disturbing’
“He had been an England coach, commentator, and it was disturbing to me, because Sky is supposed to be doing amazing work in bringing racism front. Within a week, I received that and thought, “God, there’s some closet racists, and I must do something about it.”
Rafiq said: “I believe with four to five months remaining on my contract I was encouraged by Rafiq to sign confidentiality forms and accept a small amount of money. I declined.
“At the time, it would have cost me a lot. It was my wife who seemed to be in trouble. I felt like I was in trouble.
“It was impossible for me to mentally put myself through such trauma. Actually, I left Pakistan. I was sent to Pakistan. It was a great experience.
Rafiq was asked how he managed to find the courage to speak up. He replied: “I did an interview on my new venture. I got asked a question. It was very emotional. Everything was said.
“I believed there was some humanity left in these people even at that stage. It was not true. But they thought that he hadn’t spoken about Yorkshire.
It was about “discrediting, discrediting, discrediting”. It’s hard to believe that I have managed it. The last fourteen months have been very difficult. Rafiq was visibly upset and the committee decided to take a rest.
Rafiq, who became emotionally charged after the break, said that he felt it was ‘hurtful.’ Root, England’s captain said that he’d never seen anything like this at Yorkshire.
Rooty is a decent man. Rafiq stated that he never used racist language.
‘I found it hurtful because Rooty was Gary (Ballance)’s housemate and had been involved in a lot of the socialising where I was called a ‘P***’.
“It just shows how common it is that even a decent man doesn’t see things as they are.” Joe won’t be affected by it, but I do remember that every day.