Rafiq stated that he began medication because of his declining mental health. He left Yorkshire in 2014 for the first-time. Rafiq initially settled back in Yorkshire under Alex Lees, and Jason Gillespie.
Rafiq stated that Jason left the house in 2016, and the room felt like the temperatures had been raised. Andrew Gale was the coach, and Gary Ballance the captain. The first time I began to understand what this was, I felt alone and humiliated. Constant use of the word ‘P***’.’
Rafiq stated that Ballance had harassed him racially during 2017’s pre-season tour. “We were at a location and Gary Ballance walks up to us and asks, “Why are you speaking to me?” You know he’s a P***’. It happened right in front of his team-mates. The coaching staff was also present.
He added: ‘He would constantly talk down to me and make racist jokes, designed to undermine me and make me feel small, like coming up and interrupting when I was talking to girls in a club, saying ‘don’t talk to him, he’s a P***’. His constant racist taunting made me cry outside the nightclub.
‘On those bus trips he would look for corner shops, and make comments such as ‘does my dad own these?’ Gary often made these comments on YCCC [Yorkshire County Cricket Club] bus trips, in the dressing room, or at events — and in front of YCCC coaches, staff and management, including our coach, Andrew Gale, [the coach]Richard Pyrah was the director for cricket Martyn Molon. Dickie bird is the club president. However, nothing could be done or said to stop it. But they laughed along.
Ballance said that he used a racial slur towards Rafiq. In an extended statement last month, Ballance apologised and described it as part their friendship. Rafiq said that it was inaccurate portrayal of their relationship. She stated that the relationship had fallen apart from 2013 to 2017 and had turned toxic.
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. Although I was not present at that dressing room I do know that Alex named his black dog Kevin. It is disgusting what a joke that was.
Rafiq answered a question about Vaughan: “Michael may not remember…three of us (Adil, me and Rana) remember it.”
“He evidently had just a little bit of my sentence. He was able to use his platform in the Daily Telegraph and tell everybody that he didn’t say these things. My intention was to continue to put out a small portion of my sentence and discuss other topics. I found this completely incorrect. It doesn’t matter to him so he probably won’t recall it.
Rafiq made claims about Rafiq’s behavior at the club. He claimed that he was one of’six’ or seven players who had filed a bullying complaint in 2017 against England’s former player. Rafiq claimed that he was only of these players of colour.
He declared: “Tim is Andrew” [Gale’s] brother-in-law. The two of them supported one another all the time. Tim used to tag along with Andrew and make racist remarks. They fought about bullying each other. Tim made the same racist remarks as Andrew and was too harsh toward me when compared with white British players. It became so bad that I filed a formal complaint in 2017 against Tim.
Rafiq stated that Hoggy started to call me “Raffa the Kaffir”. Later, I realized what the term ‘Kaffir’ was and why it was being used. Comments from Hoggy towards myself and the other Asian players — Adil, Ajmal and Rana — were constant.
He might have believed it was dressing room banter. But, when we came in each morning, he would call us names like “you guys sit over there” and then make us sit together. He would also call us things like ‘elephant washers’ and ‘P***’. Rafiq stated that Matthew Hoggard had apologised after seeing him interview him about Yorkshire.
“I called Matthew, and he said that he didn’t realize, but I was really sorry.” It doesn’t matter if some of my comments caused you to feel how you described it. I’m sorry. What do you know? I always say, “Thanks, it was really appreciated.”
Rafiq claimed he was hurt by it. Root, England’s captain, stated that he’d never been exposed to anything racist at Yorkshire. Root said that he is a great 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***’. That Rooty didn’t see it as it was is a sign of how normal it was. Joe won’t be affected by it, but I do remember that every day.
Rafiq said: “There was denial. Briefings. Cover-ups. Smearing. High-profile media persons messaging me other members of media supporting me. They said stuff like, “The clubhouse and Asian players do not go there.” And, “getting subs for Asian players is similar to getting blood from a stone”.
“And then, personally, that guy doesn’t even know me and has never spent time with me talking about my drinking habits, socializing, or going out. David Lloyd is an England commentator and coach. I found that disturbing. After I spoke out, I received the following information. I was shocked and horrified.
Rafiq said Jack Brooks was a Yorkshire County Championship winner who had called India’s star Cheteshwar Pujara “Steve” during an overseas trip to the club.