Regarding the Yorkshire racism incident, Colin Graves has not yet directly apologized to English batsman Azeem Rafiq. Graves returned to his position as Yorkshire chair, having served in that capacity from 2012 to 2015. During that time, the club was hit with a £400,000 fine for their inability to end the club’s systematic use of racist or discriminatory terminology.
Azeem Rafiq opened up about his experience in Yorkshire after receiving the same fine. Graves consented to testify at the legislative hearings in order to resolve the issue.
When asked whether Graves had apologized directly to Rafiq, the Yorkshire chair replied that he hadn’t yet. Graves had welcomed the chance to do so.
“I have not personally apologized to him; no, if I had the chance to speak with him, I would do so because he shouldn’t have gone through what he went through,” ESPNcricinfo cited Graves as saying.
When asked why he had not gotten in touch with Rafiq after making his remark, Graves said that he was too busy and didn’t have the time.
“I have apologized today to Mr. Azeem Rafiq and anyone else who may have encountered prejudice or discrimination.
In my opinion, that was not appropriate at all at the time. Graves stated, “I simply didn’t pick up the phone to Mr. Rafiq because I had a lot going on.”
Not to mention, in January 2024, following his announced return as the club’s chair, Graves apologized to all those who had experienced racism at Yorkshire County Cricket.
“To everyone from a minority ethnic origin who encountered bigotry or discrimination in Yorkshire, I will apologize once more today. That should never have occurred. It will never be acceptable, and it won’t be in the future either. He remarked, “I sincerely apologize to anyone who experienced prejudice or discrimination; that is not acceptable.
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