Rafiq calls for ECB 'overhaul' after damning ICEC report finds discrimination 'widespread'

By Sports Desk June 30, 2023

Azeem Rafiq believes the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) requires an "overhaul" after a report found discrimination was "widespread" throughout the sport.

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published findings from a two-year investigation on Tuesday, concluding that racism – alongside other forms of discrimination such as sexism and elitism – was "entrenched" in the sport. 

Rafiq played for Yorkshire over two spells between 2008 and 2018 before becoming a whistleblower over the racism he endured while with the county, facing a backlash for making allegations which played a major role in the investigation's origins. 

Following the release of the ICEC report, Rafiq told Stats Perform the ECB must do better, saying: "I think it [ECB] should be changed in its current form. I don't think the ECB can continue to be a regulator and a promoter.

"There's a hell of a lot of things that have happened and they continue to happen, so I think it needs an overhaul.

"Whether that means being disbanded, coming in a different format, I don't know. But it does need a look. 

"The one thing we can't do is do nothing. Simple as that. This report is damning, so things need to happen."

Among the 44 recommendations made by the commission was that the ECB should apologise to those who had been affected. 

ECB chair Richard Thompson did exactly that in the wake of the findings, outlining an intention to "use this moment to reset cricket".

Rafiq explained only actions, not words, will make cricket a more welcoming place for those subjected to discrimination. 

"Look, thanks for the apology," Rafiq said. "I find it uncomfortable to praise it. I don't see Richard Thompson as an individual, he's representing the game. 

"The game has done this to a lot of people. So I think the least they could do is apologise. But it's what happens after the apology that matters the most."

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    The 39-year-old, who has won the Portuguese title twice in the space of three years, will join the Red Devils officially from November 11, after serving a notice period with Sporting CP.

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    And Meulensteen, who spent 12 years on the coaching staff at Old Trafford, thinks Fernandes will thrive under Amorim, and hopefully cut out some bad habits.

    "It's always important, but all managers expect certain things, have certain expectations from Bruno," he told Stats Perform. 

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    His 120 victories in the league give him a 76.92% win ratio, which is the best of any Sporting coach on record. 

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    Since March 2020, when Amorim took charge, Sporting have the highest win percentage of any team across Europe's top 10 leagues (77% - 120 wins out of 156 games).

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    Rene Meulensteen sees similarities between Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag, so does not want to get carried away about the incoming Manchester United head coach.

    United confirmed on Friday, four days after they sacked Ten Hag, that Amorim would be coming in as their new boss.

    The 39-year-old, who has won the Portuguese title twice in the space of three years, will join United officially from November 11, after serving a notice period with Sporting CP.

    United have agreed to pay Sporting around £9.2million (€11m) in compensation, with Amorin signing a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2027.

    However, former United coach Meulensteen is able to draw plenty of comparisons between Amorim and his predecessor, and that is giving him cause for concern.

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    "United will probably think they need somebody with, first of all, a strong personality," he continued.

    "I think that is important. From what I hear and read about him, he has a strong personality, but that personality will only be tested in difficult times. But that is where you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. 

    "But I think it's the same reasons why United went for Ten Hag, because the stats are all weighing up. The stats are good. Plus, obviously, they've spoken to him.

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    United are 14th in the Premier League after nine games, and face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

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