Yorkshire Set To Hold 'Extraordinary General Meeting' To Save Club From Insolvency

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is set to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds soon to enact far-reaching governance reforms and also confirm board appointments in the wake of the allegations of racial harassment and bullying by Pakistani-origin cricketer Azeem Rafiq and others "and the way in which this had been handled" last year.

A statement issued by the county side said late on Tuesday that, "1,000 members have already sent to the Club their signed requisition requests" to be a part of the EGM.

The club said that the reforms will "create the foundations for sustainable, more resilient and better governance" and that the changes had the full backing of the England and Wales Cricket Board, "who have confirmed that they are willing to lift the suspension of hosting rights for international and major matches at Headingley if these special resolutions are passed".

The club was banned from hosting any international games in November over their handling of the Rafiq racism scandal. Rafiq had alleged last year that he was a victim of institutional racism at the club. The explosive allegations led to a number of resignations at Yorkshire CCC, with Kamlesh Patel taking over from Roger Hutton as chairman. The entire coaching and support staff at the club was asked to leave in the aftermath of the allegations and Yorkshire is gradually making fresh appoints to the vacant posts.

The statement also said that a "restructuring solution" could become necessary to save the club from insolvency.

"On the basis of independent insolvency advice and in light of the financial position of the Club if Test cricket is not returned to Yorkshire, the leadership of the Club will have little choice but to seek a restructuring solution and that includes the potential dissolution of the Club. Accordingly, your support for these resolutions is crucial to the future of the Club," said the statement.

The club said that the allegations of racial harassment and bullying by Rafiq had led to many visible changes particularly in leadership and governance, adding that it will continue to work hard to build a modern, diverse and inclusive club and to "reclaim our place on the international cricket stage".

"Members, sponsors and the global cricket community expect higher standards from the Club, and we are determined to deliver. Since November 5 last year, the Club has announced an ambitious package of reforms aimed at achieving those goals," the statement added.

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Yorkshire has introduced an independent whistleblowing hotline to allow formal complaints to be made. The Good Governance Institute and law firm, Howard Kennedy, have carried out an independent governance review, and the club has announced new partnerships with Pakistan Super League side, the Lahore Qalanders, along with the Northern Titans from South Africa to reduce barriers to entry, helping us to unearth new talent and enhance international cooperation.