The supporter was also accused of ‘waging a campaign’ against Yorkshire on social media
Yorkshire County Cricket Club have said they will launch an investigation into an email that was sent to a supporter in which the club’s head of Human Resources called them ‘a coward’.
As per the BBC, the email was sent from the head of HR, Liz Neto’s email address to supporter Khalid Akram which left him feeling ‘distraught and shocked’.
The email accused the supporter, Mr Akram, alongside former player Azeem Rafiq, of ‘waging a campaign’ against Yorkshire on social media.
In the email, Neto also said that she would be speaking to police about Akram’s complaints.
It said: “The full file, along with the full details of my complaint to West Yorkshire Police are also going in the file of papers to the DCMS so they can get a flavour of the campaign being waged by [people] such as you and Azeem Rafiq on social media.
“I have the full file of papers on your complaint in 2018 and the prompt action to investigate taken by the club and by West Yorkshire Police.
“The fact you redacted your details but left mine in full view shows you to be a coward.
“I do hope you are proud, you certainly sound very proud.”
Akram screenshot the conversation he had with Neto, however he has since deleted it from social media after it included the phone number of Neto.
Rafiq reacted to the news on his Twitter account, sarcastically saying “you can’t write it”, adding two face palm emojis.
You can’t write it 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/pzvya7A79k
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) November 10, 2021
It comes after the newly appointed chair of the club, Lord Patel apologised to Rafiq over Yorkshire’s handling of the report which documented his experiences of racism when playing for the club.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Akram said: “This is why people don’t raise complaints and speak up about discrimination.”
It comes after Akram made a complaint back in 2018 after he and his family suffered racial abuse in the stands at Yorkshire’s ground, Headingley.
According to that piece, the complaint was passed on by the club to West Yorkshire Police who took no action, with Akram recently accusing the club on social media of doing “nothing” with his complaint.
In the aftermath of the racism row, Yorkshire have been stripped of their ability to host England matches, while also losing key sponsors, including Yorkshire Tea.
Related links:
- Ex Yorkshire player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan says he heard Michael Vaughan make racist comments
- Yorkshire County Cricket Club chairman resigns amid deepening racism row
- Health Secretary says ‘Heads should roll at Yorkshire County Cricket Club’ amid racism allegations
