Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq has apologised after historical messages of an anti-Semitic nature came to light.
The slurs were used when Rafiq was just 19-years of age.
Rafiq appeared in front of a UK Parliamentary committee earlier this week, outlining the racist behaviour he'd been victim of during his two spells at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
He claimed cricket in the UK is "institutionally racist" during his testimony. Rafiq told MP's that racial slurs regarding his - and other players' - Pakistani heritage were used "constantly" at Yorkshire, and never stamped out.
The Times on Thursday printed an exchange of messages between Rafiq and Ateeq Javid in which anti-Semitic language was used in describing another Asian player at Derbyshire.
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) November 18, 2021
He said the player involved was reluctant to spend money on a meal because "he is a Jew", before later adding, "he will “probs go after my 2nds again ha . . . Only Jews do tht sort of shit”.
"I have gone back to check my account and it is me - I have absolutely no excuses," Rafiq said in his apology on Twitter.
He said he hopes and believes his is a better person today, but is angry at himself for use of the anti-Semitic slurs.
At no point will I ever try and defend the indefensible
For those I have hurt I am sincerely sorry
I will continue to front up & own any more mistakes I have made— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) November 18, 2021
Azeem Rafiq apology:
I was sent an image of this exchange from early 2011 today.
I have gone back to check my account and it is me - I have absolutely no excuses. I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offence.
I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe I am a different person today.
I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologise to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this.
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