Yorkshire CCC chairman Roger Hutton has resigned over the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal and has called for the board to do the same.
Yorkshire have admitted the Gawber man was the victim of racial harassment and bullying but declined to punish any staff. Elements of the report were revealed this week, leading to many sponsors cutting ties with the club and MPs condemning them.
Hutton said: "The club should have recognised at the time the serious allegations of racism. I am sorry that we could not recognised executive members of the board to recognise the gravity of the situation and show care and contrition."
He said there was a 'constant unwillingness' from board members to aplogise and accused the ECB of being 'relucant' to act.
Yorkshire have been suspended from hosting international cricket and The Hundred by the ECB.
Gary Ballance, Rafiq’s former Barnsley and Yorkshire team-mate, has been revealed as the player who called Rafiq a ‘P**i' in what the club’s report deemed was banter. Ballance has been suspended from being called up for England.
The ban on Headingley major matches is ‘until it has clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, ECB member and First Class County.’
An ECB statement read: “It is clear to the Board that YCCC’s handling of the issues raised by Azeem Rafiq is wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game. The ECB find this matter abhorrent and against the spirit of cricket and its values.
There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination in cricket and where it is found, swift action must be taken. This matter must be dealt with robustly if the sport is to demonstrate its commitment to truly being a game for everyone.”
It added: “The Board reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring that cricket is a game for everyone. Discrimination of any kind on the field of play, in the dressing room, in the stands, or in the boardroom is intolerable in sport or indeed, society. Cricket must work together to eradicate it.”
