A former Yorkshire Academy player claims he was racially abused by a staff member at 16 on the latest racism charge against the club.
Irfan Amjad, who was later released, says a staff member used a term referring to his legacy in Pakistan to criticize his batting style.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (England) said in a statement: “It is essential that those who have suffered racism, oppression, and abuse can come forward and share their experiences.
“We have not been aware of this allegation to date, but we will conduct a proper investigation.”
Amjad’s decision follows Azeem Rafiq’s talk of details of his experience in Yorkshire, which he first discussed in public in September 2020, and which led him to close his own life.
One report found that the former Yorkshire Rafiq player was “racially harassed and bullied,” but the club said he would not control anyone.
Yorkshire’s handling of the issues raised by Rafiq was widely criticized – and on November 1, ESPN reported that the racist term under Pakistan’s Rafiq inheritance was regularly used against him, but the investigation concluded that he had “Friendly and polite jokes”.
On Friday, President Roger Hutton resigned and was taken over by Lord Patel on Monday, praising Rafiq’s “courage” as an informant.
Last week, Yorkshire launched another investigation after another former, anonymous player claimed he had been repeatedly racially abused at the club.
Recounting his alleged experience, Amjad said: “Once upon a time, we were playing a home game and I was playing an offensive shot as I hit, the ball went up in the air and I was caught out.
“I was going to the locker room and when I walked in, when I started taking off my helmet and padding, the individual walked in through the door and looked me in the eye.”
At this point, the individual used the term racist when referring to a “typical shot” played by those of Pakistani heritage.
Amjad said: “And it did not leave me but I was surprised, I did not know what to do and I was surprised. I have never been racially insulted just like that. I did not know what to do.
“Even before the accident I felt distant, it happened and then I felt isolated. Moving forward, I didn’t feel I could speak or give my opinions on the game in team meetings.
“It crosses your mind [bring it back] but I was a 16-year-old boy and I didn’t know what to do. I kept it to myself.
“No one else shared their experience with me and I didn’t share mine either. If I opened up, chances are those people who had similar problems will also be open.”
It is the latest allegation of racism that came to light in Yorkshire after the details of the Rafiq story.
Former Pakistan striker Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was the second player to deny racism in Yorkshire, claiming the club was “systematic jokes”.
On Friday, Yorkshire President Roger Hutton was one of many board members who downgraded the club’s response to Rafiq’s racism.
On Monday, new president Lord Patel said Rafiq should be “praised” for his heroism and “should never suffer” a Yorkshire racist scandal.
