Cut English cricket’s funding over ‘deep-seated racism’, government urged

DCMS committee finds racism is ‘endemic’ in the sport
Yorkshire’s Azeem Rafiq praised in damning report

The UK government has been urged to cut English cricket’s funding unless the England and Wales Cricket Board can prove it is serious about tackling the “deep-seated racism” that exists across the whole sport.

That is the damning recommendation of a parliamentary inquiry into racism that concludes cricket’s problem is not only “endemic” but the governing body has known about it and failed to properly act.

The 13-page report by the digital, culture, media and sport select committee also praises the former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, who spoke so bravely about the shocking abuse he suffered in November, but says his testimony must now lead to real change.

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