Rafiq is emotional about racism in Yorkshire.
The report recommends that the government limit public funding for cricket if there is continuous progress on eliminating racism.
Azeem Rafiq gave testimony to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee about racism he experienced at Yorkshire.
Rafiq's story was described as "typical of an endemic problem across the whole of cricket" by the chair of the committee.
Yorkshire has been criticized for their handling of Rafiq's allegations.
The former chairman and chief executive have resigned.
The committee said that the changes made by Lord Patel were a positive step, but they alone could not eradicate racism.
Knight said that this is a big deal for cricket.
Those who love and support the game are part of the solution.
Rafiq said that the report made clear the England and Wales Cricket Board's responsibilities in tackling racism in the sport.
He said that the committee took sensible action. It is wonderful that the committee is going to hold the ECB to account.
This shows how serious politicians are about the issue of cricket players being ignored. The committee knows how important it is to keep the game clean.
I'm happy that the reforms needed to make the sport more inclusive to all children can be done soon.
What is in the report?
Rafiq told the select committee in November that English cricket is "institutionally racist" and that racist language was "constantly" used during his time as a player at Yorkshire.
The MPs were shocked by the language used in the correspondence they received.
The report made reference to Rafiq being discredited by the media.
The report said that it will be a long and difficult road to eradicate racism from the game.
It doesn't matter if the issue is valid or not, if a whistle blower is of perfect moral character.
There is an issue of racism in cricket.
Rafiq was praised by Knight for speaking out about racism.
During November's session, the MPs heard from the representatives from the ECB, including Tom Harrison.
The governing body of English cricket published a five-point plan to address racism, after Harrison said that the sport was close to an emergency.
Knight said that public funding for cricket must depend on real leadership and progress by the ECB.
Future funding should be contingent on the game cleaning up its act.
We put the ECB on notice that we expect regular updates on progress being made.
The committee recommended that the ECB develop a set of indicators to measure progress.
They will invite Yorkshire and the ECB to give evidence early in 2022.
The long-term viability of the ECB could be questioned if they didn't tackle racism, Knight told the sports editor.
"Any grants from Sport England or any form of governmental grant should be dependent upon the ECB showing that it has not just established these targets but is actively looking to achieve them," he said.
If that doesn't happen, we could look at establishing an independent regulator.
This is a key test of whether or not that should continue.
What has been said?
Lord Patel said that Rafiq's testimony was a "watershed moment for the sport as a whole" and that Yorkshire were committed to ensuring that no-one endures the unacceptable experience that he did.
The DCMS thanks the select committee for its report into the treatment of Azeem Rafiq by Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
We will take further action if necessary after considering the report's recommendations.
Barry O'Brien, the interim chair of the European Central Bank, said that they welcomed the committee's recommendations. We are determined to eradicate racism and other forms of discrimination from our sport.
We have taken steps to make cricket more inclusive. We are sorry for the pain people have suffered and we are proud of the courage it has taken to speak out. We are determined to make cricket more welcoming.
Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of Sport England, said that the DCMS select committee's report highlighted the need for the ECB, the counties, and other cricketing stakeholders to reform and take action to end structural racism in the sport.
Sport England's funding is linked to the development and implementation of robust diversity and inclusion policies and plans. We made that clear to the ECB and they have responded in a positive way.
The litmus test of progress will be the lived experiences of diverse communities and their involvement in the game, according to Azeem Rafiq's testimony to the committee. The work to defeat racism in sport must continue until Azeem's experiences are eradicated.
How did we get here?
Rafiq went public with his experiences in September 2020.
Yorkshire launched a formal investigation in August of 2021.
The club did not release the report despite being asked by the ECB. Rafiq was the victim of inappropriate behavior and they admitted it and offered him their "profound apologies".
Yorkshire received a summary of the findings which said seven of Rafiq's allegations had been upheld.
The club were heavily criticized by pundits and MPs, with a number of sponsors pulling out of their deals.
Rafiq was asked to speak to the committee in November.
What are the changes happening in Yorkshire?
Yorkshire chairman is very confident that the ban on hosting England will be lifted.
Since taking over at Yorkshire, Patel has made a number of changes, including setting up a whistleblowing hotline, reviewing procedures and policies at the club, and resolving an employment tribunal with Rafiq.
The director of cricket and the first-team coach were among the 16 people who were sacked.
Ryan Sidebottom and Steve Harmison have joined the coaching staff on an interim basis, while former Yorkshire and England pace bowler Darren Gough has been appointed director of cricket.
The club is banned from hosting England matches by the ECB.
The ban on hosting England matches will be lifted, according to the man, while Rafiq said Yorkshire deserves to have games at Headingley.
"In the last two months, Yorkshire have made significant progress in our efforts to rebuild, and I am heartened that the committee considers that there is room for optimism in what we have achieved," he said.
We have made some real improvements, but we are only at the beginning of a long and important journey.
Azeem Rafiq's testimony was a landmark moment for the sport as a whole, and we are committed to ensuring that no-one will ever repeat the experience that he had.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
