Joe Root: It has fractured our game and torn lives apart

The cricket club recently concluded that no employees would face any action over former player Azeem Rafiq’s claims of institutional racism and bullying, leading to major sponsors abandoning deals over the handling of the case

England’s Test captain Joe Root on Thursday said the “intolerable” Yorkshire racism episode has “fractured our game and torn lives apart” and pledged his support in a bid to bring about a change at his childhood club.

The cricket club recently concluded that no employees would face any action over former player Azeem Rafiq’s claims of institutional racism and bullying, leading to major sponsors abandoning deals over the handling of the case.

Root, who is currently in Australia for the Ashes series, called for “change and actions” from Yorkshire. “There is no debate about racism. It is simply intolerable,” Root said in a statement.

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“These events have fractured our game and torn lives apart. We must now recover and come back together as fans, players, media, and those who work within cricket. We have an opportunity to make the sport I love better for everyone,” he added.

The county has been widely criticised for its handling of the issue and, besides sponsors, it has also lost the right to host England international matches at its Headingley home. As a senior Yorkshire player, who was also a former teammate of Rafiq, Root said he felt “compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and YCCC”.

“In my capacity as England captain and as a senior player at Yorkshire, I feel compelled to address the current situation that has consumed the sport and YCCC.

“I just want the sport to be a place where everyone is enjoying it for the beautiful game it is and feels equal and safe. It hurts knowing this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It’s my club that I care passionately about. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting.”

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