Yorkshire County Cricket Club takeover: CMS Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP comments on prospective return of Colin Graves

Commenting on the prospective return of Colin Graves as Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club,Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee, said:

“The disgraceful treatment of Azeem Rafiq by Yorkshire CCC was the tip of the iceberg, with racism, classism, sexism and misogyny found to be entrenched across the sport. The publication of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s report last year offered a turning point for English cricket, which the ECB appears to be taking.   

“The return of Colin Graves to Yorkshire and to English cricket risks undermining what progress has been made so far.  If the club is serious about rebuilding its reputation as well as its finances, then there needs to be a commitment from Mr Graves and the club to fully respecting the findings of the ICEC and taking action on them.  The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will be watching closely as this deal progresses, so that the terrible past of Yorkshire CCC does not repeat itself.”

The Committee has invited Mr Graves to give evidence at a session in February. Further details will be announced at a later date.