Report found former player Azeem Rafiq was victim of "racial harassment and bullying" at Yorkshire; ECB suspended the club's right to host international matches; hours after Root released his statement, Rafiq said "uncomfortable truths are hard to accept it seems"
Thursday 11 November 2021 17:29, UK
Joe Root says the Yorkshire racism scandal has "fractured our game and torn lives apart" and will offer his support to the club in a bid to "make the sport I love better for everyone".
A report found former player Azeem Rafiq was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying" at Yorkshire but the club said it would not discipline anyone.
Yorkshire have been widely criticised, with the England and Wales Cricket Board suspending its right to host international matches and other major games, while several sponsors have ended their association.
In a statement addressing the matter, Root said: "In my capacity as England captain and as a senior player at Yorkshire, I feel compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and YCCC.
"I just want the sport to be a place where everyone is enjoying it for the beautiful game it is and feels equal and safe. It hurts knowing this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It's my club that I care passionately about it. I've spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate about racism, no one side or other. It is simply intolerable.
"These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart. We must now recover and come back together as fans, players, media, and those who work within cricket. We have an opportunity to make the sport I love better for everyone."
Root, who has come through the Yorkshire age-groups and academy, said he wanted to "see change and actions" from the county.
The England Test captain told reporters he had never personally heard any racism at the club and will reach out to new chairman Lord Patel, who replaced Roger Hutton following his resignation last week, at "some point in the future".
Hours after Root released his statement, Rafiq wrote on Twitter: "Disappointed is not even the feeling. Incredibly hurt.
"But uncomfortable truths are hard to accept it seems."
Patel apologised to Rafiq on Monday over the county's "flawed" 12-month investigation into his racism and bullying allegations and revealed that Yorkshire had settled a separate employment tribunal with the former player.
Rafiq, who played at Yorkshire across two spells between 2008 and 2018, first made his allegations in a September 2020 interview with ESPNcricinfo, stating that "deep-rooted" racism at Yorkshire had left him "close to committing suicide".
Former Yorkshire academy player Irfan Amjad has since shared his experience of suffering racism while at the club.
On Tuesday, Yorkshire announced head coach Andrew Gale had been suspended as part of an investigation into a tweet he sent in 2010. Director of cricket Martyn Moxon is absent from work because of a stress-related illness.
Root said that racism and discrimination were problems that extended beyond both Yorkshire and the world of cricket, and invited everybody to play their part in conquering it.
"We have to find a way to move forward and make sure this never happens again. In my opinion, this is a societal issue and needs addressing further afield than just cricket," Root added.
"That being said, we, as a sport, all have to do more. How can we all help shape things moving forward positively? What can everyone from myself, the ECB, counties, players, officials and others in the sport do to improve the state of the game? I certainly don't have all the answers, but I think we need to educate more and earlier; we must call it out straight away and have our eyes and ears open more."
Rafiq will give evidence to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday.
Hutton, current chief executive Mark Arthur and director of medical services Wayne Morton will face questions about Yorkshire's handling of the case.
The role of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), its process for dealing with complaints and the wider implications for the sport will also be considered with chief executive Tom Harrison and chair Barry O'Brien.
On Tuesday, the UK government said it is ready to "step in" if Yorkshire and the ECB do not take "real action" following the Rafiq case.
