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Azeem Rafiq: Speaking Out Against Discrimination in Cricket
Azeem Rafiq, the former cricketer, has faced a barrage of threats, abuse, and even being driven out of the country since he spoke up against racism in the sport. However, reflecting on the past few years, Rafiq says he doesn’t “regret it at all.”
“It was a lot for me, for my family, but they’ve been there with me throughout,” he tells BBC Asian Network.
Rafiq has openly and often emotionally shared his experiences during his time as a player in Yorkshire. A 2023 hearing found that Rafiq’s allegations against five former players were proven, and that the group had brought the game into disrepute through their use of racist and/or discriminatory language.
Rafiq says that as he has spoken more about the issues, it has become easier for him, but certain aspects still “really take me back to them days.” He acknowledges both the negative and positive sides of standing up against discrimination. While some parents have felt empowered to speak up about their children’s experiences, Rafiq still hears about cases where complaints “fall on deaf ears.”
“In most cases, people will get tired and leave it,” he says. “I would hope that people will think twice now before using racial language.”
Born in Pakistan, Rafiq’s love for cricket was sparked in his home country. However, moving to the UK in 2001, the year of the 9/11 terror attacks, was when he first encountered racism. Rafiq believes that while the “vile, violent attacks” may have decreased, the “rhetoric, language, the division, [and] the othering” can be “exactly the same” as it was 20 years ago.
Rafiq thinks that healing divisions within the South Asian community and understanding the nuances of the problem will be key to tackling bigger issues. He acknowledges that this will require “an uncomfortable conversation” but believes it is necessary.
Reflecting on his own experience with anti-Semitic comments, which he later apologized for, Rafiq says the support he received from the Jewish community was “amazing” and that it helped him to learn and understand more.
Rafiq wants to use his platform to create opportunities for those who don’t have it, including in cricket. While the game has given him “some scars” that he will carry for life, he is determined to ensure that the respect he and others deserve is achieved.
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