Six members of Yorkshire Cricket Club fired in racism scandal win unfair dismissal claims
Last year, Azeem Rafiq spoke out about his experience of racism while playing for Yorkshire, telling MPs he felt "isolated, humiliated at times" due to the bombardment of racism he suffered and the "constant uses of the word p***'".
Wednesday 8 June 2022 14:10, UK
Six members of Yorkshire Cricket Club, including the former head coach, have won an unfair dismissal claim against the club after they were sacked in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.
An employment judge ruled that Andrew Gale and five other former members of Yorkshire's staff had a "well-founded" case in a decision published this week and said the matter will now move on to what remedies can be agreed or imposed.
Gale, 38, was one of 16 members of staff sacked in the wake of the controversy which engulfed Yorkshire following accusations by bowler Rafiq.
This week's decision by employment judge Joanna Wade also involves bowling coach Rich Pyrah, academy lead Richard Damms, second-team coach Ian Dews, and strength and conditioning coaches Ian Fisher and Peter Sim.
Last year, Rafiq spoke out about his experience of racism while playing for Yorkshire.
He told MPs he felt "isolated, humiliated at times" due to the bombardment of racism he suffered and the "constant uses of the word p***'".
During his youth career, he was pinned down and forced to drink wine, as well as being called an "elephant washer".
His testimony prompted other players to come forward with their experiences, triggering a scandal in the game and accusations of widespread racism.
Yorkshire accepted Rafiq had been subjected to racial harassment and bullying but initially elected to not take any action against their employees, leading to widespread criticism.
Club cleared out entire coaching team
The condemnation of Yorkshire over their treatment of Rafiq had huge repercussions for the club last year, including a flood of departures of staff and directors as well as sponsors pulling out and their Headingley Stadium in Leeds being stripped of its lucrative international fixtures.
In December, the club announced a clear-out of their entire coaching team, including Gale and long-serving director of cricket Martyn Moxon.
Both Gale and Moxon had been heavily criticised at a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) hearing at Westminster as Rafiq repeated his call for them to step down from their roles at the club.
Gale had played for Yorkshire as a batsman for more than a decade before becoming first-team coach in 2016 but he was suspended in November after a tweet emerged from 2010.
He stated at the time he would take legal action over his dismissal, saying in a statement to BBC Sport: "The decision has come as a surprise to me. The players knew about it before I did and I will be fighting the decision legally."
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Six months ago, Lord Patel was installed as the new chairman and was tasked with overseeing wholesale cultural and structural changes.
Last month, Lord Patel saluted "an overwhelming vote for positive change" as reforms were approved by club members to pave the way for Headingley to stage England matches this summer.