'Heads should roll' at Yorkshire cricket club, say British ministers on their handling of Azeem Rafiq's case

The Yorkshire Cricket Club cricketer Azeem Rafiq leveled serious allegations of racism on his teammates and submitted his complaint earlier. However, in the latest turn of events, the report by the same club ruled out that terms by which he was referred (P*ki) was used as ‘friendly banter’ and that club wouldn’t take action against any of their members. However, British ministers have opened up in detail regarding the situation and have called for ‘heads to roll’ at Yorkshire club for their handling of the case.

It was in September when the club issued an apology statement to the cricketer but stated that they will not be taking any disciplinary action against any of their staff. However, later a report added that a senior player in the club accepted that he used to refer Rafiq by a particular racist slur but didn’t know that it was hurting.

In the same light of events, British secretary Sajid David has asked ECB to investigate the matter in detail and take action against the club. He added that serious punishment should be given to the people involved in the case as ‘P*ki’ is never a friendly banter.

“’Paki’ is not banter,” he tweeted. “Heads should roll at Yorkshire CCC. If @ECB_cricket doesn’t take action it’s not fit for purpose,” he tweeted.

Further, Cultural Secretary Nadine Dorries stated that allegations have not been dealt with seriously and racism must be confronted at any cause and it cannot be written off as just banter.

Azeem Rafiq’s treatment after the racism he faced was disgusting

“Azeem Rafiq’s treatment after the racism he faced was disgusting, and the investigation that followed only makes it even worse,” she tweeted.

“The @ECB_cricket investigation must be swift and fully transparent. Racism must be confronted, and NEVER written off as just ‘banter’” she added.

However, ECB have added that they will conduct a ‘full regulatory process’ and have hired a senior lawyer to see the case.

“We are conscious about the length of time that Azeem has waited for resolution and the toll that must be taking on his wellbeing and that of his family. We are sorry that, as a sport, this has not yet been resolved,” the ECB reports added.