England Captain Joe Root Reacts On Yorkshire-Azeem Rafiq Racism Controversy

Joe Root, who has been playing for Yorkshire since making his debut in 2010, released a statement on the racism row involving the club and former player Azeem Rafiq which has taken English cricket by storm this month.

England captain Joe Root on Thursday reacted on the racism controversy surrounding the Yorkshire County Cricket Club after former player Azeem Rafiq's sensational allegations against them. Root said the incident has “fractured our game and torn lives apart”

Rafiq, who is of Pakistani descent and a former captain of the England Under-19s, said in September 2020 he had received racist abuse and was made to feel like an outsider at Yorkshire. The 30-year-old also said he had contemplated suicide.

England's cricket board last week suspended Yorkshire from hosting international or major matches over their handling of Rafiq's allegations, while former chairman Roger Hutton resigned and was replaced by Kamlesh Patel.

Root, who has been playing for Yorkshire since making his debut in 2010, has now broken his silence on the entire episode and pledged to help new Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel in whichever way he can to "educate unify and reset" the club.

“It hurts knowing this has happened at YCCC so close to home. It’s my club that I care passionately about it. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting. There is no debate about racism, no one side or other. It is simply intolerable.

“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.

“I want to see change and actions that will see YCCC rise from this with a culture that harnesses a diverse environment with trust across all communities that support cricket in the county.

“We need to educate, unify and reset. I will reach out to YCCC new Chair, Lord Patel, to offer support however I’m able. We have to find a way to move forward and make sure this never happens again.

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"In my opinion, this is a societal issue and needs addressing further afield than just cricket. That being said, we, as a sport, all have to do more,” Root said in a statement released on his Twitter account.