Following reports suggesting coaching figures sacked by former chair Lord Kamlesh Patel could be welcomed back to Headingley, the club have issued a response
Yorkshire have denied that coaching staff sacked in the wake of the racism scandal which engulfed the club are close to returning to Headingley.
Sixteen employees were removed in December 2021, but the following June six members, including ex-head coach and captain Andrew Gale accepted compensation after the club accepted their dismissal was "procedurally unfair".
Richard Pyrah, Richard Damms, Ian Dews, Ian Fisher and Peter Sim reached similar settlements. Total compensation payouts reportedly total £3.5 million, while a public apology has also been issued to ex-physiotherapist Wayne Morton.
In the wake of the departure of managing director Darren Gough, The Times reported on Thursday (March 14) that a return could be in the offering for several of those individuals with Colin Graves back at chair after the completion of his controversial takeover.
He previously severed the role between 2012 and 2015, overlapping with the first of the two spells Rafiq - who was found to be a victim of "racial harassment and bullying" - had with Yorkshire (2008-2014).
Former head coach and captain Andrew Gale was sacked in December 2021 (Getty Images)
But the 32-time outright County Championship winners have issued a strong denial and say no talks have taken place with former employees about a potential return.
"Contrary to media reports this morning, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) strongly refutes claims made that former employees from the club's coaching staff have been approached with a view to returning to the club," a statement read.
"No one at YCCC has spoken to any former coaching staff about potential roles at the club.
"As with any elite-level sports club, the need for review is commonplace, but with the season fast approaching we do not envisage any more changes.
"The appointment of any club roles will always be subject to transparent, fair, and merit-based recruitment and selection process, as is best practice and Club policy."
Colin Graves is back at Yorkshire following the completion of his takeover (Getty Images)
During his appearance in front of the CMS select committee last month, Graves was asked directly by Clive Efford MP whether any of the 16 dismissals staff could be re-employed. "It has not been discussed by the board," the ex-ECB chair insisted.
The following week, however, The Cricketer reported that Mark Arthur, chief executive between 2014 and 2021, was to be re-engaged by Yorkshire in a consultancy role.
The report into historic allegations of racism and discrimination at Yorkshire criticised Arthur for being "dismissive" of complaints and for expressing a "lack of concern". Former chair Roger Hutton also told the Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee in 2021 that Arthur had attempted to prevent further investigation into the racism allegations.
It also emerged that others who left the club in the wake of racism revelations that emerged in 2020 could also be invited to return.
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