Racism Row County Cricket: Sponsors cut ties with Yorkshire following Rafiq racism report -A number of sponsors of English county side Yorkshire have ended their partnerships with the club following an independent report into allegations of racism made by former player Azeem Rafiq.
Yorkshire had said last month that the club would not take any disciplinary action against employees, players or executives following the report, which found Rafiq had been a victim of racial harassment and bullying in his first spell at the county from 2008-14.
Publishing company Emerald Group and Yorkshire Tea said on Wednesday they had cut ties with Yorkshire.
Rafiq, a player of Pakistani descent and a former captain of the England Under-19s, said last year he was made to feel like an outsider at Yorkshire and contemplated taking his own life.
Yorkshire apologised to Rafiq in September following the publication of a summary of the report’s findings.
Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton as well as other members of the club’s senior management have been summoned to appear before a parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport panel to provide evidence.
Rafiq will also give evidence at the hearing on Nov. 16, while British media reported the club’s board will meet on Friday for emergency talks.
