Azeem Rafiq yet to receive apology over Yorkshire racism incident. “I haven’t apologised to him personally; no, If I had the opportunity to talk to him then fine, I would do because he should not have experienced what he experienced,” Colin Graves told the BBC.
Colin Graves has failed to issue a direct apology to English cricketer Azeem Rafiq for the Yorkshire racism incident. Graves returned as Yorkshire chair, having previously serve from 2012 to 2015. During which time the club fine £400,000 for failing to eradicate the widespread use of racist or discriminatory language.
Following the fine, Rafiq spoke openly about his experience in Yorkshire. To resolve the situation, Graves volunteered to testify during the legislative sessions.
Graves accepted the opportunity to make a straight apology to Rafiq. When asked if he had, the Yorkshire chair confessed that he had not yet done so.
“I haven’t apologised to him personally; if I had the opportunity to speak with him, I would, because he should not have gone through what he did. ” Graves cited as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
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Graves was asked why he hadn’t contacted Rafiq after seeing his statement
To which he said that he didn’t have the time to do so owing to the amount of activity around him.
“Certainly, from my perspective, that was inappropriate at the time, and I’ve apologized to Mr Rafiq and anyone else who has faced discrimination or racism. “I just had too many things going on to pick up the phone and call Mr Rafiq,” Graves explained.
It is also worth remembering that Graves apologized to all victims of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket in January 2024, shortly after his appointment as chairman was approved.
“I’ll sorry again today because anyone from a minority ethnic background who suffered discrimination or racism at Yorkshire should never have had to go through that. It will never be acceptable, and it will surely not be moving forward. I apologise to everyone who has experienced bigotry or racism; it is not acceptable,” he stated.
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