Cricket commentator David Lloyd has apologized after Azeem Rafique told a British parliamentary committee that the former England coach had made derogatory remarks about Asian cricketers.
In Tuesday’s disturbing testimony, Rafiq, 30, listed the culture of racism pervasive at his county club Yorkshire, describing the “inhuman” treatment he received. He also said that the game in England was full of racism.
Rafiq testified that members of the media were also guilty of racism and identified Lloyd, now a sky game Pundit, as sending messages to others in the media and saying: “A clubhouse is the lifeblood of a club and Asian players don’t go there.”
“In October 2020, I had a private message exchange with a third party involved in cricket, which covered a range of topics,” Lloyd said in a statement on Twitter on Tuesday.
“In these messages, I referred to Azim Rafiq’s allegations that I had heard from within the game. I have also made some comments about the Asian cricket community.”
“I am deeply sorry for my actions, and I sincerely apologize to Azeem and the Asian cricket community for any further offenses that may have been committed. I am strongly committed to making cricket a more inclusive sport. Now It is very clear that more work needs to be done and I will do everything I can to remove discrimination from the sport I love, and the sport that has been my life for 50 years.”
In his testimony, Rafiq said he found Lloyd’s comments “disturbing” because his employer Sky was doing a “wonderful job at bringing up racism”, describing the 74-year-old as a “closet racist”.
Sky said they would investigate Lloyd’s comments.
“Sky is committed to actively participating in cricket and all sports, and opposing discrimination of all kinds,” he said in a statement.
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