Yorkshire County Cricket Club has been suspended from hosting Tests and other major matches until it has “clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue” in response to the club’s handling of the Azeem Rafiq racism case.

In a damning verdict following an unscheduled meeting of its board, the England and Wales Cricket Board stated: “The YCCC’s handling of the issues raised by Azeem Rafiq is wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game. The ECB find this matter abhorrent and against the spirit of cricket and its values.”

The suspension covers Tests, one day internationals and The Hundred, the ECB’s lucrative limited overs competition.

The statement added: “As a governing body with duties to act for all in cricket, the ECB board reaffirmed its commitment to taking decisions in the best interests of the whole game. It also agreed that sanctions including, but not limited to, financial and future major match allocations may be considered at the conclusion of our investigations.”

Source: Theguardian.com