Azeem Rafiq, the former cricketer whose revelations about the racism he suffered at Yorkshire has sparked a crisis in the English game, has apologised after admitting that he sent antisemitic messages ten years ago.
British newspaper The Times reported that it has seen an exchange of messages sent between Rafiq and another former cricketer, Ateeq Javid, and which contain disparaging comments about an unnamed Jewish person.
Rafiq confirmed in a post on Twitter that he did send the messages and has “absolutely no excuses.”
“I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence,” Rafiq wrote.
“I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe I am a different person today. I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this.”
Rafiq, a former England under-19 captain, testified through tears at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday about his experiences of racism and bullying while playing for Yorkshire.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has suspended Yorkshire from hosting international matches over its “wholly unacceptable” response to the racism faced by Rafiq, while some of the club’s sponsors are ending deals.
Yorkshire’s Azeem Rafiq has shone a light on racism in English cricket. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
On Thursday, British sports minister Nigel Huddleston called for cricket to “get its house in order” and raised the possibility of independent regulation if it did not.
As the racism crisis continued in English cricket, Somerset County Cricket Club also reprimanded Jack Brooks on Thursday over the fast bowler’s historical posts on social media, which contained racist language. The club described his comments as “unacceptable”.
Somerset investigated two tweets sent in 2012, when Brooks played for Northamptonshire, as well as claims that he used the name “Steve” to refer to Cheteshwar Pujara when the Indian Test batsman was at Yorkshire.
The club said in a statement that Brooks, 37, was “embarrassed and devastated that his comments offended people” and the player would now participate in training on diversity and inclusion.
“He has acknowledged that, while they were made nearly a decade ago when he was less mature, the content of the posts was wrong and not in accordance with his personal values,” the statement added.
“Jack has engaged honestly and openly throughout the investigation and unreservedly apologises for his past errors.”
“I acknowledge that the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it,” Brooks said in a statement.
“I unreservedly apologise for any offence cause to anybody who may have seen these tweets.”
GentleGeorge
Guest
Agreed Ouch. Just underlines how important it is to establish Critical Race Theory into our education syllabus. White Privilege is the foundation on which this country was built and it’s overdue it was torn down. I stand in solidarity with my brothers until we are all seen and treated with respect and dignity :unhappy:
Tempo
Roar Rookie
The screenshots there look like Facebook comments to me. All orientated to the left (not left / right like text messages) plus a “10yr” date stamp under each message. Plus a profile pic and name next to each message. They describe them as “messages” and “text exchange” rather than sms or text messages. Pretty sure it’s either Facebook or some other social media site.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
That would make sense but the Times who broke the story described it as text messages and has a screen shot of several messages that look like an SMS. In which case going back and deleting them does sound a bit meaningless. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/azeem-rafiq-apologises-for-antisemitic-text-messages-87snclgr5
The Bush
Roar Guru
Why exactly does it matter? How exactly does it make what happened to him any different? I’m genuinely curious, because I just can’t see why it changes anything.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Of course I do. When did I say otherwise? Again, as I said, why does his wrong mean it’s alright for others to do likewise to him?
U
Roar Rookie
You don’t have a problem with anti Semitic remarks?
U
Roar Rookie
I’m sure his complaints are valid but you better think about your own past as well if you’re going to do what he did
U
Roar Rookie
Being underage doesn’t let you off the hook either these days. People have been caught out for things they said online when they were 13
U
Roar Rookie
You want equality or not?
U
Roar Rookie
How typical. How many times have those in recent times who’ve come out with stories got massive skeletons in their own closet?
matth
Roar Guru
Yes, one instance of unacceptable behavior doesn’t somehow make the other instances less serious.
matth
Roar Guru
I fail to understand how this has any effect on how what has happened at Yorkshire is being perceived. Just because this person has also made recuse comments doesn’t make it somehow more okay that racist behavior was directed at him.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Nice. Now particular group of people breath sigh of relief given they can now feel they are not they only guilty here. Oh wait a minute, how racism that was thoroughly implemented across the world, and antisemitism that can only be talked about, is in same basket?
Tempo
Roar Rookie
No - when did I say what Rafiq said was fine? You can have something that is bad and something else that is worse. For example, spitting on someone is bad and unacceptable, shooting them in the head is worse.
Tony
Roar Guru
So there's a scale of ray cism? Anything below a 7 is fine?
Tony
Roar Guru
Rocking horse
Linphoma
Guest
So now are we going to see a tearful gay, transgender Jewish cricketer (any other minority category to slot in here?) go on a rampage and declare suicidal tendencies and question their place in the game and society after they heard something in a change room? Line up. line up. We'll have the equivalent of the cricket MeToo movement. Before anyone shoots off at me, I'm ethnic Chinese and I've heard a good many sledges from the 60s reverberating in my ears.
bungeye
Roar Rookie
You can be sure a journalist in Australia will be digging up dirt as we speak. Watch this space..
Dirk
Guest
Where has he said he's happy to complain? I missed that bit.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Is he denying the chance of others to complain like he has? No, so what's the issue?