Yorkshire Tea have become the latest sponsor to end their partnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club over the racism case involving former player Azeem Rafiq.
The county are coming under increasing pressure from MPs, their own members and sponsors as fresh details of the report into allegations of racism at the club continue to emerge.
Earlier this week, ESPN Cricinfo reported that a former Yorkshire teammate of Rafiq had repeatedly called him a 'P***'.
However, the panel charged with making conclusions and recommendations from the report deemed it "friendly banter", despite Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton admitting that Rafiq "was the victim of racial harassment".
Now, Yorkshire Tea have announced that they will no longer sponsor the county.
Today (Wednesday, November 3) they released a statement which read: "We were upset to read about the experiences of Azeem Rafiq during his time at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
"We wholeheartedly believe that cricket should be a sport for everyone, but his experiences and the way the panel report has been handled don't reflect that.
"Our current partnership with YCCC was naturally coming to an end but we have taken the decision to end it with immediate effect."
They are not the only sponsor to have severed ties with Yorkshire over the scandal, with the title sponsor of Yorkshire's ground Headingley also ending their association with the club.
In a statement, the company said: "We have today taken the decision to remove our brand association with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Headingley Stadium.
"We do not tolerate any form of racism or discriminatory behaviour and the damaging effects this has.
"Our intention remains to continue a financial commitment to the stadium itself, which is also the home of Leeds Rhinos rugby, as we believe this supports the aims of diversity and inclusion in sport along with a range of charitable community endeavours.
"Emerald will however no longer sponsor Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We hope that YCCC will listen and respond with serious action to eradicate racism from the club and uphold the values we all expect."
