Azeem Rafiq, English cricketer of Pakistani origin, denounced Tuesday infront of a parliamentary committee the "institutionalised racism" within English clubs. He said he suffered from "humiliating treatment" that "cost him his career".
At times with a tight throat and tears coming to his eyes, the former Yorkshire cricket club player has said he felt isolated and humiliated by the words and actions of his teammates and the inaction of leaders.
He and other players with Asian backgrounds were subjected to comments such as “You lot sit over there,” and being called “Paki” and “elephant washers”.
During emotional testimony, he recounted having red wine poured down his throat as a 15-year-old even though he is a Muslim and spoke of Asian players being singled out for mistakes while they were fasting.
The new Yorkshire chairman Kamlesh Patel has apologised, praised Rafiq for his courage and promised “seismic change”.
