Six Yorkshire players found guilty in racism scandal, with three of them reported to have refused to pay fines

The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has published its decisions in relation to charges brought by the ECB against Yorkshire CCC and a number of individuals relating to racism, last week.

The allegations were made by Pakistan-born bowler Azeem Rafiq, 32, in September 2020 which rocked the cricket world.

Each of Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah have been found liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 for their alleged use of racist and/or discriminatory language.

Michael Vaughan has been found not liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3.

ECB Directive 3.3 states: “No such person may conduct them self in a manner or do any act or omission which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute”.

Yorkshire CCC and Gary Ballance had previously admitted charges of breaching the same Directive.

The independent CDC Panel which heard the matter comprised of Tim O’Gorman (Chair), Mark Milliken-Smith KC and Dr Seema Patel.

These decisions only relate to liability. Where charges have been upheld or admitted, sanctions will be determined at a later date.

The ECB noted the publication of the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel’s decisions in relation to the ECB’s charges against Yorkshire County Cricket Club and seven individuals. The independent Panel made its decisions following the hearing that took place between 1 and 7 March 2023.

The CDC Panel’s decisions came following a long, complex and detailed investigation which saw Yorkshire CCC admit four charges of breaching ECB Directive 3.3, including a failure to address systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language over a prolonged period and a failure to take adequate action in respect of allegations of racist and/or discriminatory behaviour.

Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said: “This has been an incredibly challenging period for our sport, but one we must all learn from in order to make cricket better and more inclusive. When Azeem Rafiq spoke out about his time in cricket, he exposed a side of our game which no one should have to experience. We are grateful for his courage and perseverance.

“Given the nature of these cases, they have taken a clear toll on everyone involved. There now needs to be a time of reconciliation where, as a game, we can collectively learn and heal the wounds and ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.

“This has been the most complex and thorough regulatory investigation and disciplinary process that the ECB has ever conducted. It covered emotive allegations spanning a period of nearly 20 years with rigour and diligence and was overseen throughout by industry-leading KCs and three very experienced independent members of a sub-group of the Regulatory Committee. I would like to thank the CDC Panel and all those involved in working on these important proceedings.

“The decisions published today are the findings of an independent CDC Panel, reaching its own decisions based on the evidence before it, and it is now for the Panel to determine what sanctions are appropriate where charges have been admitted or upheld. Having only received the decisions today, we will need time to consider them carefully.

“At its best, our sport is one that brings people together and connects communities. It is now time, as we also prepare to receive the report of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, to work together to continue, expand and accelerate the work that is under way to change for the better, so that we can make cricket the UK’s most inclusive sport.”

Reports have stated that three of the six Yorkshire players found guilty of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq will refuse to pay any fines in protest at what they regard as a flawed process, after England and Wales Cricket Board recommended the Cricket Discipline Commission to levy fines totalling £37,000 on the players.