The ECB have hit back at comments from Yorkshire County Cricket Club 's former chairman Roger Hutton, who stated they were 'reluctant to act' on allegations of racism from Azeem Rafiq.
After announcing his resignation as Yorkshire chairman, Hutton expressed his frustration at the ECB's "reluctance to act".
He said: "I want to be clear that when I was made aware of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations, I immediately reached out to the ECB to ask for their help and intervention to support a robust inquiry.
"I was saddened when they declined to help as I felt it was a matter of great importance for the game as a whole.
"It is a matter of record that I have continually expressed my frustration at the ECB’s reluctance to act."
In a statement provided to Sky News, the ECB insisted that their roles as "a regulator across the entire game" meant they could not get involved with the initial investigation as they "must act independently".
"Yorkshire CCC did reach out to us at the beginning of the investigation with a request that we partner with them on exploring Azeem's allegations of racism and bullying against the club," the statement read.
"Our role is to operate as a regulator across the entire game. We must act independently of any club investigations, should we ever be required to intervene as regulator – either during or after.
"The reason why our governance is structured in this manner is perfectly demonstrated in the way these issues have played out at Yorkshire County Cricket Club."
In his statement, Hutton also criticised the Yorkshire board and its senior executives for their "constant unwillingness ... to apologise and to accept racism."
He said: "There has been a constant unwillingness from the executive members of the board and senior management at the club to apologise and to accept racism and to look forward.
"For much of my time at the club, I experienced a culture that refuses to accept change or challenge.
"During my time as chairman, I take responsibility for failing to persuade them to take appropriate and timely action. I now call for those executive members of the board to resign, to make way for a new path for the club I love so much."
