Six former Yorkshire players sanctioned for using rac language disciplinary panel

Six former Yorkshire players have been sanctioned for the alleged use of rac and discriminatory language in verdicts released the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel on Friday.
Yorkshire and a number of individuals were charged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year after an investigation into racism allegations made Azeem Rafiq, who said in 2021 he had been a victim of institutional racism at the club.
In March, ex-England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of using rac language towards Rafiq, but a CDC panel upheld charges against former Yorkshire players Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah.
Gary Ballance, who announced his retirement from cricket in April, did not attend the hearing in March as he had already admitted in 2021 to using rac language against former team mate Rafiq.
On Friday, Ballance, Bresnan, Gale and Pyrah received fines as well as suspensions of varying length from coaching and playing cricket, while Blain and Hoggard were only fined.
Additionally, all six players have been recommended to undertake a racism or discrimination education course at their own expense. The players can appeal the decision before June 9.
“The CDC has also confirmed that the sanction hearing for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which has admitted four breaches … will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023,” the CDC said.The racism scandal rocked English cricket and led to numerous changes in coaching and adminrative personnel at the club.