British Asians in Yorkshire claim that they would still like their children playing for the county, despite all the racist rhetoric surrounding the club.
Azeem Rasiq raised allegations that Gary Ballance, his teammate had made an inexcusable racial slur about his South Asian heritage. Officials from Yorkshire rejected the claims as ‘banter.
Rafiq claimed that Gary Ballance, a former England and Yorkshire cricketer was to blame for the abuse. Ballance has apologized to Rafiq.
This row led to sponsors leaving the county, and senior officials were forced from their posts.
British Asians who live near Headingley say that they support the club despite the controversy.
Zabiullah Javeed Iqbal is 37 and owns a Leeds market stand. He said that his son, a fast bowler who plays cricket in Yorkshire, hopes he will be able to play some day for the team.
Amar Rashid (pictured) said that Yorkshire’s chairman has been elected, but that he felt he had to go before Yorkshire lost its majority of sponsors
Zabiullah Javeed Iqbal (37), is the stall holder. He said that his son, who plays cricket, hopes to one day play for Yorkshire.
“There’s racism in the world, it exists in our society. But, its unfair to judge all people based upon actions of just a few.
“It was terrible to see what Azeem Rahiq has been through. It’s just right that the chairman has resigned.
“Not all people are racist. You can’t assume that because it happened to one person, everyone else is equally affected.
“My little boy is an excellent fast bowler. I hope he will one day play for Yorkshire.
“I told him that if you possess a talent, no one can stop you.”
Amar Rashid works as an insurance agent and said that it was unacceptable to use such language. All people should be treated equally.
“Some might think it is banter. But it’s very sensitive and it can be interpreted as a racial slur. The same goes for calling someone the N name.
‘I am glad to see that the Chairman has resigned. However, it’s not surprising that so many sponsors backed out before the action was taken.
“I do not believe Britain is racist, but I have never experienced it myself. It is a story that I am aware of, though friends have shared it with me.
“Everyone is totally different. While you may find 99 per cent who are kind and one or two people who are racist, it doesn’t mean that everyone can be held responsible.
Roger Hutton has been removed as chairman of Yorkshire Cricket Board. Lord Kamlesh Patel will replace him.
Wednesday’s admission by Ballance that she used a racial insult against Rafiq during their time at Yorkshire was not surprising. But, she said, “This was a situation in which best friends spoke offensive things about each other, which outside of this context would be considered totally inappropriate.”
Following Roger Hutton’s resignation over Azeem Rafiq racist crisis, which threatens to escalate amid new allegations, Lord Kamlesh Ptel was installed as Yorkshire’s new chair.
Hutton quit his job immediately. Martyn Mxon, chief executive of Cricket Martyn Moxon, and Mark Arthur, chief executive of the company were asked to follow Hutton’s lead.
Moxon spoke to PA News Agency at his house and said that he had a brand new chair, so it was entirely up to him what the future holds.
Hanif Malik (board member) and Stephen Willis (board member), while Neil Hartley (board member) will depart after serving as facilitator for a transitional period.
Lord Patel, an ex-member of England and Wales Cricket Board and chairman of its South Asian advisory group has agreed to lead the country out of what is arguably the worst chapter of its history.
He added, “I am looking forward to moving this club forward and driving any necessary change.” It is important that the club learns from its mistakes and regain trust with communities.
“There’s much to be done, such as reading the report of the panel, in order for us to learn from past failures.”