Lloyd Sends Rafiq Heartwarming Apology

Updated: Nov 17, 2021 12:49 am

Sky Sports Commentator David Lloyd has sent an apology to Azeem Rafiq following his comments on the Yorkshire Cricketer’s background.

The Yorkshire Off-spinner claimed that the former England and Lancashire batsman was attempting to smear him in an attempt to suppress his allegations of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Rafiq was seen speaking to a  Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport select committee in a wide-ranging Testimony.

“I sat in front of national TV and talked about the dark places this whole episode has got me into and what’s happened since then? Denial, briefings, cover-ups, smearing,” 

“High-profile media people messaging other members of the media who supported me saying stuff like ‘the club houses are the life blood of a club and Asian players don’t go in there’, ‘getting subs out of Asian players is like getting blood out of stone’.

Azeem Rafiq-DCMS Hearing

Lloyd also released a statement on Twitter about the comments used on Rafiq whilst suppressing the allegations of racism.

® of topics. In these mesages, I have referred to allegation about Azeem Rafiq, which i have heard from the game. I also made some comments about the Asian cricket community. i deeply regrest my actions and apologise most sincerely to Azeem and the Aisian Cricket Community for doing this, and for any offence caused. I am strongly commited to making cricket a more inclusive sport. It is very obvious now that more work needs to be done and I will do I can to remove discrimination from the sport i love, and the sport that has been my life for over 50 years.

David Lloyd-Twitter

Let’s hope that this statement from the former England Coach sends a good message on the impact of racism in the sporting world and how it cannot be tolerated by anyone.

Meanwhile, Sky has also released its statement on the case.

Sky is commited to actively to actively championing inclusion in cricket – and in all sports – and opposing all forms of discrimination. We will be investigating the comments attributed to David Lloyd in today’s select committee hearing.”

Sky Sports

Have we heard the last of this story or is there more to come?

To find out more on the Azeem Rafiq story, visit World in Sport.