Yorkshire CCC reaction to Rafiq's ECB suspension

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Azeem Rafiq celebrates debut wicket in LVCC 2009

Yesterday the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that a Cricket Discipline Commission Panel had restrospectively suspended Azeem Rafiq from all cricket under ECB jurisdiction for a period of one month from 26 July and ordered him to pay £500 towards the costs of the hearing.

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced on 29 July that it had suspended Azeem Rafiq pending the decision of the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission Panel.

As a result of the announcement by the ECB, Yorkshire County Cricket Club will not take any further action against Azeem Rafiq other than to support yesterday’s decision and to place a formal warning letter on Rafiq’s file with regard to his future conduct.

The Club strongly disapproves of the actions and behaviour that led to Rafiq’s suspension, but as far as the Club is concerned this matter has now been dealt with and no further comment will be made.

29 JULY STATEMENT

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have this morning suspended their young all-rounder, Azeem Rafiq, following reports of misconduct whilst he was on England Under 19 duty at Northampton. The club will carry out a full investigation into the events leading up to the player being sent home by ECB Team Management before deciding on what course of action they will take.

The matter came to the attention of the club following Rafiq’s four-letter outburst on the social networking site, Twitter.

Stewart Regan, Yorkshire’s Chief Executive said: “Azeem’s behaviour was totally unacceptable and the club will not tolerate it. Our professional players are role models to aspiring young cricketers and need to behave as such. Whilst Azeem has apologised formally to the ECB, the club and the coach in question the club still intend to carry out a full investigation before deciding on what disciplinary action to take. In the meantime, he is suspended on full pay and unavailable for selection.”

It is likely that Rafiq will also be summoned to Lords to face an ECB Disciplinary Committee over the next few days.