Yorkshire Chairman Roger Hutton Resigns

Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) chairman Roger Hutton has resigned over the club’s response to racism experienced by former player Azeem Rafiq.

In a statement he said that the club “should have recognised at the time the serious allegations of racism”.

Hutton, who joined the club 18 months after the Rafiq left, added that at Yorkshire he had “experienced a culture that refuses to accept change or challenge”.

Despite resigning, Hutton has confirmed that he will still appear before the parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee to explain the club’s handling of the investigation.

Yorkshire have been in the spotlight this week after an investigation concluded that Rafiq was a victim of “racial harassment and bullying” – but the club said they would take no disciplinary action.

Due to Yorkshire’s handling of the situation, many companies have cut their ties with the club, including Nike, Emerald Publishing, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley’s.

On Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) banned the club indefinitely from hosting international or major matches after its “wholly unacceptable” handling of the racial harassment claims.

The cricket governing body said: “Given recent events, it is clear there are serious questions regarding the governance and management of Yorkshire CCC. The club’s failure in relation to actions and responses to their own report represents a significant breach of its obligations to the game.”

The ECB confirmed that the ban will remain in place until the club has clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected.

Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan announced that he was named in Yorkshire’s report but “totally denies any allegation of racism”.

The report states that Vaughan told a group of Asian players, including Rafiq “Too many of you lot, we need to do something about it”.