Yorkshire Racism Crisis: ECB suspends Yorkshire from hosting international matches

Yorkshire has been suspended from hosting international and major matches, including the Hundred final. Meanwhile, it is decided in the ECB board meeting to discuss the implications of the Azeem Rafiq racism investigation.

The club had been due to host the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley in June next year. Meanwhile, also including, an ODI against South Africa, and the potential for knockout fixtures in the Hundred. They were also scheduled to host an Ashes Test in 2023.

Read Also: Rahul Dravid appointed as new Indian Cricket Team's (Men's) Head Coach

What ECB said in their statement about Yorkshire Racism ?

The club would be stripped of its major-match status until it has "clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, ECB member and first-class county".

ECB said in a statement

A senior Yorkshire player, Gary Ballance has also been suspended indefinitely from England selection. Meanwhile, he admitted to using racist language towards his former team-mate, Rafiq,

"It is clear to the Board that YCCC's handling of the issues raised by Azeem Rafiq is wholly unacceptable. And is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game,"

ECB said in a staement

"There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination in cricket. And where it is found, swift action must be taken. This matter must be dealt with robustly if the sport is to demonstrate its commitment to truly being a game for everyone." The ECB finds this matter abhorrent and against the spirit of cricket and its values.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Joe Root believes this player can be "massive" for England

After initially refusing to make public the findings of an independent report, the ECB finally received a full copy last week. However, including the revelation - reported by ESPNcricinfo - that the racial slur "P**i" had been deemed an equivalent term to "Zimbo". "Zimbo" is the nickname that Rafiq was understood to have used for Ballance.

There is potential for further embarrassment for the club, and by extension, English cricket, when senior Yorkshire board members, including chairman Roger Hutton, chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon, appear before the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee on November 16. Rafiq is also expected to give testimony, under the protection of parliamentary privilege.

DCMS selecttion Committee's Chairman about the decision :

"The ECB's action in taking international cricket away from Yorkshire should act as a short, sharp shock to bring the club to its senses. Like the rest of us, I imagine the members of Yorkshire County Cricket Club will be questioning why the board is still in place."

Julian Knight MP, the DCMS select committee chairman, said

"As for Mr. Ballance, I'm choosing at this time not to comment on the specifics of the case. However, it would have been completely unacceptable if they had left him eligible for selection for the England cricket team."

Read Also: Most wins in T20I as captain

The ECB board has pledged to hold Yorkshire to account in relation to their handling of the matter. "Given recent events, it is clear there are serious questions regarding the governance and management of YCCC," the ECB statement continued. "The club's failure in relation to actions and responses to their own report represents a significant breach of its obligations to the game."