Local MP Steve Brine was at the centre of a key session from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as members heard from former cricketer Azeem Rafiq.
Mr Rafiq is calling for disciplinary action to be taken by Yorkshire County Cricket Club following its’ investigation which found he had been subjected to serious racial harassment and bullying.
The Committee also heard from former YCCC chair Roger Hutton, current Chief Executive Mark Arthur and Director of Medical Services Wayne Morton about the club’s handling of the case. It was carried live on most major media outlets and has received widespread coverage in today’s newspapers.
Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, had an important exchange with Azeem asking what he would say to 10 year-old boys and girls from Barnsley who have the same dream as he did to play cricket for the county giants.
Mr Rafiq gave an emotional testimony throughout the session and replied to Mr Brine’s last question saying; “Where we’ve got to is quite difficult, I can’t even imagine as a parent hearing me speak now why I would my kids to go anywhere near the game. I don’t want my son to go anywhere near cricket.
“I think this is where the ECB and counties show this as an opportunity for the change and get those parents to understand and make sure it doesn’t happen to your kid. If I were a parent I’d say, keep an eye on your kids because this is reality.”
More information
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee
Watch Steve Brine’s exchange with Azeem Rafiq
Watch the session back in full via Parliament TV
