The resignation comes after criticism of Yorkshire's handling of the Azeem Rafiq racism case; an emergency meeting was called to discuss the club's response, amid the fallout which has seen several sponsors cut ties; further resignations could follow
Friday 5 November 2021 15:04, UK
Yorkshire County Cricket Club chairman Roger Hutton has resigned ahead of an emergency meeting to discuss the club's response to racism experienced by former player Azeem Rafiq.
An investigation found Rafiq was a victim of racial harassment and bullying - but the club said it would take no disciplinary action.
The ECB said it was "clear" Yorkshire's handling of the issue was "wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game".
In response, Hutton - who joined the club's board in 2020 - released a statement confirming his decision to step down and suggested senior members of the Yorkshire executive did not take Rafiq's experiences seriously enough.
"I have never met Azeem and was not at the club during the period he was employed. I know however, that when someone makes claims as serious as his, they need to be investigated and changes need to be made," Hutton said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to Azeem. The club should have recognised at the time the serious allegations of racism.
"I am sorry that we could not persuade executive members of the board to recognise the gravity of the situation and show care and contrition.
"I remain disappointed that legal restrictions, including an ongoing employment tribunal, have prevented the investigation report from being published and look forward to the time that everyone can see its recommendations. I hope for it to be published as soon as possible.
"I want to be clear that when I was made aware of Azeem Rafiq's allegations, I immediately reached out to the ECB to ask for their help and intervention to support a robust inquiry.
"I was saddened when they declined to help as I felt it was a matter of great importance for the game as a whole."
Refuting the ECB's claims that Yorkshire's handling of the case fell well below the standards expected, Hutton even accused the national governing body of displaying an unwillingness to act on the allegations.
He has also called on other members of the Yorkshire board to follow his lead and step down.
"It is a matter of record that I have continually expressed my frustration at the ECB's reluctance to act," Hutton added.
"There has been a constant unwillingness from the executive members of the board and senior management at the club to apologise, and to accept that there was racism, and to look forward.
"For much of my time at the club, I experienced a culture that refuses to accept change or challenge.
"During my time as chairman, I take responsibility for failing to persuade them to take appropriate and timely action. This frustration has been shared by all of the non-executive members of the board, some of whom have also now resigned.
"I now call for those executive members of the board to resign, to make way for a new path for the club I love so much.
"I will of course continue to fully cooperate with the ECB and the invitation to give evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee.
"The club has some brilliant people and has done much to be proud of, particularly the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, and I want to see more grassroots education in the game to put an end to racism for good.
"I look forward to the time when Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a great club again and will always support those who share my love for the club and wish our supporters and team well."
In response to Hutton's statement, an ECB spokesperson said: "Yorkshire CCC did reach out to us at the beginning of the investigation with a request that we partner with them on exploring Azeem's allegations of racism and bullying against the club.
"Our role is to operate as a regulator across the entire game. We must act independently of any club investigations, should we ever be required to intervene as regulator - either during or after.
"The reason why our governance is structured in this manner, is perfectly demonstrated in the way that these issues have played-out at Yorkshire County Cricket Club."
Rafiq, reacting to the news on Twitter, reiterated his claim that were was, and remains, an unwillingness on the part of Yorkshire to accept responsibility and to apologise.
Rafiq's tweet read: "There has been a constant unwillingness from the Executive members of the board [Arthur and Moxon are the executive members of the board] and senior management at the club to apologise and to accept racism and to look forward."
That view is shared by ESPNcricinfo correspondent George Dobell who told Sky Sports News that Yorkshire did not do enough and it is a "textbook case of institutional racism".
Dobell said: "Cricket reflects society, but I do think that at Yorkshire it is worse than anywhere else I have experienced in cricket. The difference that I see is that other clubs probably accept that they have an issue and they want to improve.
"Yorkshire don't accept that they have got a problem, they don't accept that they have done anything wrong, and so they don't accept that they have to change.
"I am afraid that acknowledging the fault is the first step towards a remedy. I don't think it is about individuals, although several will be embarrassed or ashamed in the coming days.
"A key issue is that Azeem reported this stuff, four years ago I think it was. He reported it to the club several times, he reported it to the union, and he reported it to the ECB, and no one did a thing.
"He shamed the game into acting, and it shouldn't be that way. The system has failed him.
"I think it is an absolutely textbook case of institutional racism and I think the people at Yorkshire, at the club, have shown they are incapable of dealing with it. They have had a long time and their time is up."
