Rafiq fears unemployment within cricket after speaking against racism

Former Yorkshire allrounder Azeem Rafiq expressed fears of an uncertain future within the game as feared he might not be employed for speaking out against racism.

Rafiq had alleged the discrimination within Yorkshire from players and club members which had seen a mass exodus of club sponsors. Senior management and coaching staff were sacked after Rafiq's testimony before lawmakers last month. 

England and Wales Cricket Board had also banned the club's stadium from hosting international matches which has been conditionally restored.

"I feel like people are scared to be connected to me, because I will continue to fight for the truth," he told the PA news agency at the Include Summit in Birmingham.

"I sit here as a 31-year-old, potentially unemployable, potentially (without) any hope of being around the game in the future, a game that I've loved for the majority of my life.

"Something that I thought, after letting off the burden that I've been carrying for a long time, that I'd be able to love again and start going back towards and follow my passion within it."

The ECB had launched an initiative to tackle racism within its structure while England's Test captain Joe Root had also spoken about the issues.

Rafiq was also unconvinced by the ECB's latest efforts.

"The whole action plan is really difficult for me to have any faith in it because we've seen it before," he said.

"From a county point of view, they don't actually think that there is a problem, which is incredibly worrying."

The 31-year old, who had earlier spoken about the threats he and his family received, felt the changes are not visible within the game.

"I just don't know how I can come back when the game is still not accepting the reality. Of course I'd love to (come back)," he said.

(With inputs from AFP)