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The inquiry into Azeem Rafiq’s accusations of racism at Yorkshire cleared a player after concluding that regular use of the term ‘P**i’ came during ‘banter’ between the pair.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Yorkshire’s report — passed to the ECB for further investigation — cleared the individual of wrongdoing as it was perceived the comments were made in a friendly, good-natured manner.

The player is also said to have admitted telling other people ‘don’t talk to him (Rafiq), he’s a P**i’; asking ‘is that your uncle?’ when bearded Asian men were in view; and saying in reference to corner shops — ‘does your Dad own those?’

Azeem Rafiq was reportedly frequently called 'P**i' by a senior player at Yorkshire

The investigating panel did not accept that the ex-England Under 19 captain was offended by the other player’s comments, either at the time or at a later date. 

They said in the context of ‘banter between friends’, Rafiq might be ‘expected to take such comments in the spirit in which they were intended’.

It is reported that the panel found Rafiq’s reference to a team-mate of Zimbabwean heritage as ‘Zimbo from Zimbabwe’ as a ‘racist, derogatory term’ and said that if Rafiq were still at Yorkshire, he would have faced disciplinary action.

Yorkshire have now sent the ECB a full copy of the report after twice missing deadlines to do so

The report into institutional racism at Yorkshire ruled that the remarks were 'friendly banter'

On Monday, Yorkshire reiterated that no disciplinary action would be taken by them in the wake of Rafiq’s allegations.

‘The club carried out its own internal investigation which shows there is no conduct or action taken by any current employees, players or executives that warrants disciplinary action,’ read a club statement released to Sportsmail. 

‘We do, however, acknowledge we must work hard to restore trust from those who feel let down.

‘There is much the club can learn from the independent report and we are committed to incorporating the panel’s recommendations into our diversity and inclusion plans.’

The investigating panel did not accept that the ex-England Under 19 captain was offended by the other player’s comments

Of last Thursday’s announcement that no action would follow, a spokesperson for Rafiq said: ‘This is despite Yorkshire’s admission that Azeem was the victim of racial harassment and bullying, and despite their admission they failed to follow their own policy and investigate allegations of racism as recently as 2018.

‘It is inconceivable that there are no current employees who should not have been disciplined. It is time that board members — for once — did the decent thing and resigned.’

The redacted report, released on September 10, recorded that ‘the panel did not find Rafiq’s evidence wholly credible. Rafiq and the player engaged in friendly verbal attack towards each other, and no malice was intended by either to the other’.