Speaking about the ECB, Hutton, who will be questioned by MPs alongside senior Yorkshire officials and Rafiq on 16 November, added: "I was saddened when they declined to help as I felt it was a matter of great importance for the game as a whole. "This frustration has been shared by all of the non-executive members of the board, some of whom have also now resigned." "During my time as chairman, I take responsibility for failing to persuade them to take appropriate and timely action. "There has been a constant unwillingness from the executive members of the board and senior management at the club to apologise and to accept racism and to look forward. "I am sorry that we could not persuade executive members of the board to recognise the gravity of the situation and show care and contrition. In a statement, Hutton said: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to Azeem. "Now we are aware of it, it goes without saying that we will investigate the allegations thoroughly." 'Constant unwillingness to accept there was racism' "This kind of behaviour would be completely unacceptable to the club," said Yorkshire. Gale told Jewish News he was "completely unaware" of the offensive nature of the term and deleted the tweet as soon as he was made aware. Jewish News reports Gale, then club captain, sent a now-deleted tweet containing an anti-Semitic slur to former Leeds United head of media Paul Dews. The ECB and Yorkshire have confirmed they are to investigate a tweet sent by Yorkshire head coach Andrew Gale in 2010. "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." We must act independently of any club investigations, should we ever be required to intervene as regulator - either during or after. In response, the ECB confirmed Yorkshire had contacted them at the start of the investigation, but said: "Our role is to operate as a regulator across the entire game. Hutton claimed that when he was made aware of Rafiq's allegations, he "immediately reached out" to the ECB "to ask for their help and intervention to support a robust inquiry" but there was a "reluctance to act". The ECB said it was "clear" Yorkshire's handling of the issue is "wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game".
On Thursday, Yorkshire were suspended from hosting England matches by the ECB. It comes after an investigation found Rafiq was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying" - but the club said they would take no disciplinary action. Hutton was also highly critical of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), claiming the governing body "declined to help". He added that at Yorkshire he had "experienced a culture that refuses to accept change or challenge". Hutton released a lengthy statement on Friday, admitting the club "should have recognised at the time the serious allegations of racism" raised by Rafiq.
"The club needs to learn from its past errors, regain trust and rebuild relationships with our communities," Lord Patel said. Lord Patel is chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board's South Asian advisory group and was previously a board member at the governing body. Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford has been appointed as a director and chair of the club.Ī fourth board member, Neil Hartley, will step down in the near future after "ensuring smooth transition to new leadership". Hanif Malik and Stephen Willis stepped down from the board following an emergency meeting later that day.