Azeem Rafiq, a former English cricketer who said this week that he had lost his career because of racism, admitted on Thursday that he sent anti-Semitic messages as a teenager. The Times newspaper revealed messages sent to former Warwickshire and Leicestershire player Atiq Javid, in which Rafiq is seen making derogatory remarks about an unidentified Jewish man. Rafiq tweeted about those comments on Thursday, saying: “I’ve gone back to check my account and it’s me – I have absolutely no excuse.
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The 30-year-old Pakistan-born cricketer said, “I am embarrassed by this exchange and have now removed it so that there is no further offense.” “I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe that I am a different person. Today. I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologize to the Jewish community and to everyone who is right. deeply hurt.” Rafiq, a Muslim, was widely praised for giving a disturbing description of the racism he faced during his twice with Yorkshire Muslim to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, which previously said the abuse made him consider taking his own life. was inspired to.
The former off-spinner, whose case has sparked further revelations at other county clubs, later said he hoped the “flood gates” would open in a crisis that threatens to engulf English cricket. Rafiq told the committee: “Do I believe I have lost my career to racism? Yes, I do.” He also cited several former teammates, including former England internationals Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan and Gary Balance, who is still at Yorkshire, who had used racial slurs towards him.
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The fallout for Yorkshire over the scandal has been disastrous, with sponsors mass exodus, the resignations of top administrators and the suspension of the club from hosting lucrative international matches. But Rafiq warned the county could not move forward until head coach Andrew Gayle and director of cricket Martin Moxon left the Headingley-based club.
Gayle himself is currently suspended pending investigation over a historic anti-Semitic tweet signed by former England batsman Moxon with a stress-related illness. Rafiq accused Gayle of persistent racial abuse and systematic bullying by Moxon.
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