Azeem Rafiq, a 30-year-old former cricketer, recently spoke out about the racial abuse he experienced at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, one of England's most historic sporting clubs. He describes feeling close to taking his own life.
Last month, Yorkshire concluded from their investigation that no one would face disciplinary action. A recent article renews uproar by claiming that abusive language about Rafiq's Pakistani heritage was determined to be "friendly and good-natured banter".
Since, Yorkshire was suspended from hosting international matches, and the Chairman resigned. |
Yorkshire men and women of south Asian backgrounds say this story reflects their own everyday experiences. They describe the racism as "less in your face than it used to be" but very much still there. Often disguised as banter, when coming from your own friends, colleagues or teammates, you're often forced to just let it pass, they explain.
What happens next at Yorkshire will be significant to how we move forward antiracism in our sports, and in society as a whole.
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