Yorkshire racism row: David Lloyd apologises to Azeem Rafiq, Sky Sports to analyze feedback

Following former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq’s testimony to the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Committee in parliament on Tuesday concerning the institutional racism prevalent on the membership, Prime Minister Boris Johnson referred to as on cricket authorities to take “immediate action”.
Commentator David Lloyd took to Twitter to apologise after he was accused of creating disparaging feedback, whereas broadcasters Sky Sports stated they might be investigating his feedback. Meanwhile, England’s white-ball specialist Alex Hales denied calling his canine Kevin had something to do with the identify gaining notoriety as a ‘racist slur. Rafiq had earlier this month accused former England skipper Michael Vaughan of telling a bunch of Yorkshire gamers of Asian ethnicity, together with him, that there are “too many of your lot” in 2009.
PM steps in
Following the over-three-hour DCMS Committee assembly, Prime Minister Johnson tweeted: “Brave testimony from Azeem Rafiq. I commend him for speaking out. “There is no excuse for racism anywhere in society and we expect @EnglandCricket and @YorkshireCCC to take immediate action in response to these allegations.”
According to The Telegraph, the UK authorities will “closely scrutinise” what actions are being taken henceforth relating to this racism scandal.

Brave testimony from Azeem Rafiq. I commend him for talking out.
There isn’t any excuse for racism anyplace in society and we anticipate @EnglandCricket and @YorkshireCCC to take fast motion in response to those allegations. https://t.co/otvysu75c9
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 16, 2021
Regret motion: Lloyd
Rafiq accused the previous England coach of being a “closet racist” who would use his excessive place of being a well-standing analyst to “smear” him. Lloyd’s place at Sky Sports is in jeopardy now.
“Sky is committed to actively championing inclusion in cricket – and in all sports – and opposing all forms of discrimination. We will be investigating the comments attributed to David Lloyd in today’s select committee hearing,” Sky Sports stated in an announcement.
Lloyd wrote on his Twitter deal with: “In October 2020, I had a private message exchange with a third party involved in cricket, about a number of topics. In these messages, I referred to allegations about Azeem Rafiq, which I had heard from within the game. I also made some comments about the Asian cricket community. I deeply regret my actions, and I apologise most sincerely to Azeem and to the Asian cricket community for doing this, and for any offence caused.”

pic.twitter.com/JywVcdGFPu
— David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) November 16, 2021
Evidence harrowing: Hales
Rafiq stated that former England batsman Gary Ballance would name everybody of color ‘Kevin’ and former England participant Alex Hales bought a black Doberman canine and named it ‘Kevin.’
“I categorically and absolutely deny there was any racial connotation in the naming of my dog,” Hales stated on Wednesday in an announcement. “I entirely respect and have huge sympathy for both the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what he has had to endure. His evidence was harrowing. There is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in cricket and I will gladly co-operate with any investigation the game’s authorities choose to hold.”

Alex Hales denies any racial connotation round naming his canine ‘Kevin’. Says he has enormous respect for Azeem Rafiq pic.twitter.com/8rEVSHAUu7
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) November 17, 2021
Ballance within the dock
Rafiq’s former teammate Ballance had defined in an announcement on the County membership’s web site final week that he had used a racial slur – Paki – to handle Rafiq, however asserted it was all part of “banter between friends.”
After an preliminary investigation revealed that there was motive for Rafiq to really feel harassed, a panel determined to take no motion as all feedback have been deemed ‘friendly banter,’ which precipitated an uproar.

In his testimony on Tuesday although, Rafiq revealed that Ballance used to go overboard together with his use of racial slurs. According to The Telegraph, Rafiq additionally claimed that Ballance would name “everyone of colour” Kevin.
There was additionally the accusation that Ballance used leisure medication, and Yorkshire helped the participant cowl up by letting him skip drug exams. Ballance, in line with The Telegraph, denied this.
Bresnan says sorry
The former England all-rounder, in line with Rafiq’s testimony, “frequently made racist comments.”
Bresnan later took to Twitter to apologise for the bullying Rafiq skilled, however categorically denied the claims of utilizing racist feedback.

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— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) November 16, 2021