MPs have written to the England and Wales Cricket Board demanding action after sponsors abandoned Yorkshire County Cricket Club over the Azeem Rafiq racism case.
The club’s deal with Anchor butter had already come to an end but Emerald Group Publishing have called time on their affiliation with the team, as well as Yorkshire Tea.
Emerald were Yorkshire’s primary commercial partners and held naming rights to Headingley Stadium.
Pressure continues to mount on the county cricket side with fresh details emerging. Tonight (November 3) Gary Ballance admitted using a racial slur to his former Yorkshire team-mate Rafiq, adding that he "deeply regrets" some of the language he used.
He had been named as one of those involved in the allegations levelled by Rafiq at his former club.
Before Ballance was named, politicians - such as former Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves - had come together to demand action while Health Secretary Sajid Javid said "heads should roll."
Rafiq's allegations against the club were first reported over a year ago, but following revelations reported by ESPNCricinfo over the contents of an independent report regarding his claims, the issue has gathered momentum this week.
The report stated that Rafiq had been the victim of “racial harassment and bullying” while playing for Yorkshire.
However, it has since emerged that the panel deemed repeated use of the term “P***” against the spinner was used “in the spirit of friendly banter”.
Following their decision to end their partnership with the Yorkshire cricket team, a statement from Emerald read: “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.”
Anchor have since released a statement reiterating their deal with Yorkshire was not cancelled, but rather it came to an end.
It read: “We believe that there is never a place, or an excuse for racism. Our partnership with YCCC was a short-term initiative that had come to its conclusion before the findings of the report were made public."
The story developed further tonight when Yorkshire player Ballance issued a lengthy statement where he admitted to using a racial slur towards Rafiq during their time as teammates.
Excerpts from the former England batsman's statement read: "My family and I are deeply saddened and upset by the allegations recently levelled at me in the press and by the misleading and selective nature of the reporting in the last few days.
"Azeem was not just a teammate of mine but he was my closest friend and supporter in cricket."
He continued: "To be clear – I deeply regret some of the language I used in my younger years. The independent enquiry, having heard all of the evidence, accepted that the context of some of the language used was in a “friendly verbal attack” between friends which was not intended to offend or hurt and that no malice was intended.
"Given my incredibly close relationship with Rafa over the years I am saddened that it has come to this. Rafa and I started playing for Yorkshire at a similar time and we quickly developed a very close bond.
"Because we were such good friends and spent a lot of time together drinking and on nights out we both said things privately to each other which were not acceptable. It has been reported that I used a racial slur and, as I told the independent enquiry, I accept that I did so and I regret doing so."
He also said: "I am aware of how hurtful the racial slur is and I regret that I used this word in immature exchanges in my younger years and I am sure Rafa feels the same about some of the things he said to me as well.
"My intention, during this whole process, has been to be honest and cooperate with the independent investigation. In light of recent media reports it is only right, on behalf of me and my family, that I put my position in the public domain.
"I will not be making any further statement on this matter."
Read Gary Ballance's full statement here.
