Yorkshire CCC’s board has unanimously agreed to accept a controversial offer for the club from its former chairman Colin Graves.
The news sees a deal between the county cricket club and a Graves-led consortium near completion after weeks of speculation.
Graves, who was chair of Yorkshire from 2012-2015, led the club during the period it was fined for failing to address the systemic use of discriminatory or racist language.
Now, he looks set to return if the takeover can be agreed to by club members.
A club statement read, ‘The board of Yorkshire County Cricket Club has tonight agreed to recommend the loan agreement from Mr Colin Graves.’
‘The club will be sending a notice to members tomorrow (Thursday, 11 January) ahead of an EGM (extraordinary general meeting) which will outline the details of the offer as well as the resolutions and rule changes that are required to be ratified by members at the EGM.’
“Mr Graves has dismissed what the club has admitted, describing it as banter. I am very concerned that we would lose the progress we have made under a return by Mr Graves“.
Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North West
Financially stricken Yorkshire CCC has been seeking investment since the racism scandal broke, and subsequently suffered a loss of sponsors and had to agree numerous compensation packages for those that won claims for unfair dismissal. It also lost the opportunity to stage lucrative international matches while governance changes were implemented.
Graves, who’s rumoured plans for the club include converting it from a members’ club to a private company, is now expected to offer a full apology to victims of racism at Yorkshire.
The 75-year-old had been criticised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year after referring to incidents as “banter“.
Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq, who became the most high-profile whistle-blower throughout the racism scandal, has expressed his disappointment at the potential deal on social media, stating that Yorkshire CCC is ‘no longer my club’.
Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds North West, whose constituency includes Yorkshire’s ground, Headingly, commented, “Yorkshire County Cricket Club has admitted the racism prevalent at the club exposed by the brave testimony of Azeem Rafiq and rightly set up a whistleblowing helpline and investigation into the cases raised.
“Mr Graves has dismissed what the club has admitted, describing it as banter. I am very concerned that we would lose the progress we have made under a return by Mr Graves and would need not just a statement recanting his views but full commitment to create a club for the whole community.”
The chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, has also added that Graves’ potential return as chairman “undermines” the progress that Yorkshire has made.
However, the club has insisted that a ‘rigorous process’ by the board had been conducted ‘to ensure the club stays operational’ ahead of a potential Graves return.
SURREY CCC DELIVERS RECORD PARTNERSHIP
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