Azeem Rafiq accepts reprimand for racist and discriminatory conduct: "It is deserved"

GEORGE DOBELL: The 31-year-old, whose allegations of racism at Yorkshire led to redundancies and a prolonged period of reflection throughout the game, exchanged messages with Ateeq Javid in 2011

George Dobell | 10/10/2022 at 15:58

Azeem Rafiq has admitted he "fully deserved" his reprimand from the ECB after being found to have brought the game into disrepute with social media posts which were found to amount "to racist and discriminatory conduct".

The 31-year-old, whose allegations of racism at Yorkshire have led to multiple redundancies and a prolonged period of reflection throughout the game, exchanged messages with another former player, Ateeq Javid, in 2011.

The posts used both insulting language and stereotypes that were pejorative towards the Jewish community. They came to light in November 2021.

While Azeem escaped financial penalty - the ECB’s Cricket Disciplinary Commission (CDC) could have fined him up to £2,000 with another £250 of costs - and his transgression was deemed to be at “the lower end of the spectrum" of such cases, he is aware the reputational damage is significant.

My response to the CDC decision below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QBAvkVhgG1
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) October 10, 2022

Rather than attempt to make any excuses for his behaviour, Azeem has reiterated his enduring shame and his desire to learn more about Jewish history.

"This summer I unequivocally accepted a charge from the ECB regarding my antisemitic social media post from 2011. You will hear no complaint from me about the CDC’s decision today. It is deserved and I fully accept this reprimand.

"I want to repeat my apology to the Jewish community. I remain ashamed and embarrassed.

"I hope I have demonstrated over the past 10-11 months that I am trying to educate myself about the horrors and prejudice the Jewish community has historically - and continues - to face.

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^{Participants take part in the March of the Living (FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images)}

"I will keep trying and I thank the Jewish community for the forgiveness and kindness that has been shown to me so far."

Since the posts came to light, Azeem has sought to educate himself on matters relating to the Jewish community.

As well as meeting holocaust survivors, he attended a candle lighter at a memorial service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Anne Frank’s diaries and travelled to Auschwitz as part of the 'March of the Living'. He apologised for the social media posts on the day they came to light and admitted his guilt to the CDC.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ateeq, with whom Azeem exchanged the messages and who continues to work in the sport in a coaching capacity, appears to have escaped sanction at this stage. It is understood he was sent a charge letter.