Azeem Rafiq has criticised the choice to not hand Essex a factors deduction, regardless of them admitting systemic and longstanding racism and discrimination throughout the membership.
Essex have been fined £100,000 – £50,000 of which is suspended for 2 years – after admitting a cost in breach of Directive 3.3, “in relation to the systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language and/or conduct between 2001 and 2010”.
A report by an unbiased panel of the Cricket Self-discipline Fee (CDC) felt the size of time coated by the cost and the systemic use of racist and discriminatory language urged a tradition that was “embedded” throughout most ranges of the membership.
The membership have additionally been cautioned and reprimanded by the Cricket Regulator (CR) however not deducted any factors, whereas Yorkshire have been deducted factors and fined extra closely final July after an investigation – made public by Rafiq – into allegations of racism on the membership.
“A fine is important and it’s only the start,” Rafiq advised Sky Sports activities Information. “I’m very disappointed there’s not been a point deduction, especially when you compare only a few weeks ago Essex were deducted 12 points for using a bat that was too big.
“It sends out the wrong message in my opinion. When the ECB – after the ICC report – talked about zero tolerance, their actions are really not matching up to that.”
Rafiq questions ‘zero tolerance’ to racism in cricket
Yorkshire have been deducted 48 factors within the County Championship, 4 factors within the T20 Blast and fined £400,000 – £300,000 suspended for 2 years, after the investigation into racism on the membership over a chronic interval between 2004 and 2021.
In its written causes, the CR panel mentioned it was unable to use sporting sanctions corresponding to factors deductions in opposition to Essex as a result of the offences happened earlier than 2020, when such powers have been launched into its laws.
The panel additionally famous Essex’s admission of the fees on the earliest alternative and famous they’d been each cooperative and responsive all through the investigation. Essex have been additionally praised by the CDC for his or her work to enhance equality, range and inclusion over latest years.
ECB chief govt Richard Gould mentioned: “Racism has no place in our sport. I’m appalled by what those who experienced racism at Essex have been through, and the way this behaviour could become normalised.
“It is important as a sport we pay attention and be taught from their experiences, and guarantee nobody suffers like that once more.”
When asked how well the fight against racism has gone in cricket since his experiences at Yorkshire, Rafiq added: “Not that effectively really. In cricket particularly, Richard Gould talks in his assertion that racism has no place in our sport, however sadly the fact is racists do.
“Those people that were the perpetrators of racist abuse are in leadership positions at county clubs, are working with kids. That’s not zero tolerance as I see it.
“Sadly in cricket, their phrases and actions do not match up. Once you say we need to be essentially the most inclusive sport, I do not suppose that is what they really imply.”
