MPs urge ECB to prevent a 'return to business as usual' in Yorkshire
MPs have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to closely monitor Yorkshire to prevent a return to business as usual following the re-election of chair Colin Graves.
Graves was in charge during the period for which the club was fined last year for failing to address the systemic use of discriminatory or racist language.
The Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has expressed concern that the ECB's commitment to tackling discrimination may not translate into action.
In its report on Equity in Cricket, released on Friday, the committee stated that the ECB should closely monitor Yorkshire CCC's work to ensure that there is no return to the 'business as usual' that allowed a culture of discrimination to take root and thrive at the club.
A report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) delivered its findings in 2023 following a two-year investigation. The report made 44 recommendations after uncovering 'widespread' racism, sexism, classism, and elitism in English and Welsh cricket.
ECB chair Richard Thompson referred to last year's ICEC report as a 'wake-up call' and an opportunity to 'reset cricket'.
The Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has recommended that the ECB publish a progress report on the anniversary of the ICEC report's publication, which was released on 27 June 2023. The report should address each of the recommendations.
Graves served as Yorkshire chairman from 2012 to 2015 and was controversially re-elected after the club accepted a loan offer.
His anticipated return was criticised by an MP in January.
Graves, who was ECB chair from 2015 to 2020, has apologised personally and unreservedly for the Yorkshire racism scandal.
Rafiq, a former Yorkshire player, has accused English cricket of being 'institutionally racist', claiming that racist language was used 'constantly' at the club.
On Friday, the UK government announced a £35m investment in grassroots and state school cricket. This investment aims to enable over 900,000 young people to play cricket in the next five years.
07 April 2024, 19:55