Nike has become the latest sponsor to abandon Yorkshire County Cricket Club over its handling of an internal investigation into racism within the club.
Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq last year revealed how “institutional racism” had left him contemplating taking his own life. An investigation by an independent panel upheld only seven of his 43 allegations due to “insufficient evidence”, but did find Rafiq had been the victim of racial harassment and bullying.As such, numerous sponsors have turned their backs on Yorkshire CCC, with Nike now cancelling its kit deal with the club.
“Nike will no longer be the kit supplier for Yorkshire CCC,” read a statement released by the sports clothing brand on Thursday, per the Evening Standard“We stand firmly against racism and discrimination of any kind.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also suspended Yorkshire County Cricket Club from hosting England international fixtures and major matches, and has threatened the club with further punishment after finding their handling of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of racism “wholly unacceptable”. (Independent)