He complained officially in 2018, but an independent inquiry was not launched until 2020, leading to criticism of Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) for its handling of the affair.

[7] However, it has been acknowledged that as far back as 2017, Rafiq complained to the YCCC about racial slurs directed at him and he formalised these comments into an official complaint in 2018,[8] but an inquiry was not launched until 3 September 2020.

[10] Naved stated as "a foreigner", he knew he would not be staying in the UK to live, and so did not wish to raise the issue as he felt it might affect his contract with the club.

[13] One of the players named in the report, Gary Ballance, admitted that he used "racial language" toward Rafiq on nights out, and that he "deeply regrets" his actions.

[14] The report classed the ethnic slur used by Ballance against Rafiq as "friendly banter", which brought a lot of criticism from politicians and campaign groups.

These were, Rafiq alleged that in 2009, during a county match against Nottinghamshire, Vaughan said while referring to a number of players of Asian descent that there "...are too many of you lot.

[21] On the assumption of a new chairperson, Lord Kamlesh Patel on 8 November 2021, he promised to release the full unredacted report to all interested parties.

Hutton was quoted as saying that he "...immediately reached out" to the sport's governing body after becoming aware of Rafiq's allegations, but that the ECB had been "reluctant to act" and "declined to help".

The reason why our governance is structured in this manner, is perfectly demonstrated in the way that these issues have played out at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

[37][38] As a result of the pressure and criticism of the club, including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid MP, the Health Secretary, and other senior members of the Conservative Party[39][40] at least three people resigned their posts, with a fourth person to follow.

[47] At his first press conference on 8 November 2021, he announced that he had taken four immediate steps: settling the employment tribunal with Rafiq (including the cessation of any demands for an NDA (non-disclosure agreement)), setting up an independent whistleblowing hotline, setting up a review into procedures and policies at YCCC, and pledging to share the full report with all interested parties including the ECB, Rafiq and MPs.

[48] It also emerged that staff at the YCCC had been sent grim reaper images on social media and had their tyres slashed whilst parked at the club.

[49] On 9 November 2021, the club announced that its head coach, Andrew Gale, was suspended following an historic tweet from 2010 which had included what the BBC called an "anti-Semitic slur".

Current YCCC Chair Lord Patel who was watching the hearing from the public gallery was also invited to address MPs.

[56][57] The Chair, Julian Knight MP, commended Azeem's "bravery in speaking out", acknowledged "the terrible impact on him and his family", and noted that it was "deeply disappointing that YCCC was unable to provide anyone with executive authority to give evidence to the Committee".