![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/azeem-rafiq-and-family-flee-uk-after-backlash-over-yorkshire-racism-scandal/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1_GettyImages-1236304804.jpg&description=Azeem Rafiq seems to have taken the decision to leave the UK with his family due to the abuse they have all suffered since his racial abuse allegation against Yorkshire CCC came to lightAzeem Rafiq gives testimony regarding cricket racism rowAzeem Rafiq is set to leave the UK following the Yorkshire Cricket Club racism scandal. The spin bowler showed great bravery and courage to make his allegations against the club known to the world. The claims were met with plenty of support from fans but there were also those who chastised him for going up against a longstanding establishment. Almost a year ago he gave evidence to a parliamentary committee, in which he said his experiences had left him feeling suicidal. Rafiq, 31, born in Pakistan before immigrating to the UK aged 10, will now head for pastures new for his family's protection. "Twenty-one years ago, my dad picked us up and moved us because his business partner had been kidnapped and burnt,' he said. 'Twenty-one years on, deja vu and I'm having to pick my family up and leave for safety reasons. That breaks me." The revelations led to a wave of sackings at Yorkshire and a report concluding that racism in cricket was "deep-seated". Rafiq opened up on the abuse he suffered both in person and online since making the allegations and how his family have been targeted. "I was away from home a few months ago and my parents' house got circled late at night [by someone] with what looked like a weapon in their hand and, to this day, nothing has happened on that," he said. "That really started to raise my fears. There's been attacks - verbal attacks, social media - and it has got to the point where I've had to take the decision to take my family away from the country." He added: "For the last two years I have put the cause very much front and centre of my life and I will continue to do that, just in a different manner. I need to protect and take a little heat off my family." Following his claims, the club launched an investi){kind=link}
Azeem Rafiq seems to have taken the decision to leave the UK with his family due to the abuse they have all suffered since his racial abuse allegation against Yorkshire CCC came to light
Azeem Rafiq is set to leave the UK following the Yorkshire Cricket Club racism scandal. The spin bowler showed great bravery and courage to make his allegations against the club known to the world.
The claims were met with plenty of support from fans but there were also those who chastised him for going up against a longstanding establishment. Almost a year ago he gave evidence to a parliamentary committee, in which he said his experiences had left him feeling suicidal.
Rafiq, 31, born in Pakistan before immigrating to the UK aged 10, will now head for pastures new for his family’s protection. “Twenty-one years ago, my dad picked us up and moved us because his business partner had been kidnapped and burnt,” he said. “Twenty-one years on, deja vu and I’m having to pick my family up and leave for safety reasons. That breaks me.”
The revelations led to a wave of sackings at Yorkshire and a report concluding that racism in cricket was “deep-seated”. Rafiq opened up on the abuse he suffered both in person and online since making the allegations and how his family have been targeted.