Colin Graves has apologised for the Yorkshire racism scandal as he looks set to return to power at the club.
A takeover deal from a consortium led by former chairman Graves has been approved by Yorkshire’s board and will be voted on by members on 2 February.
Graves’ previous spell was part of the period for which the club was fined for failing to address the systemic use of discriminatory or racist language.
“The mistakes must be acknowledged and acted upon,” said Graves.
Graves, who was chair of Yorkshire between 2012 and 2015, has previously denied knowledge of any racist behaviour during his time at the club.
He will return as chair if the takeover is approved by members.
In a statement released on Thursday, he added: “I apologise personally and unreservedly to anyone who experienced any form of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
“Discrimination or abuse based on race, ethnicity or any other protected characteristic is not and never will be acceptable.”
Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, who is calling on the club’s sponsors to oppose Graves’ return, detailed allegations of racism during his two spells at Headingley, in an inquiry that began in 2020.
Last year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) criticised Graves for suggesting some incidents of racism at the county were “banter”.
Graves’ comments followed six former Yorkshire players being sanctioned with fines and bans by the Cricket Discipline Commission after they were found to have used racist language at the club during Rafiq’s time there from 2008-2014 and 2016-2018.
“I profoundly regret some of the language I used when asked about the events that took place when I was chairman, at a time when I was no longer at the club,” added Graves.
“I understand and sympathise with those who regarded my comments as dismissive or uncaring.
“I am determined to do whatever is required to ensure Yorkshire County Cricket Club continues to reflect the communities it represents. The club cannot and will not succeed unless it is united in its commitment to meet the highest professional standards, on and off the field.”
Graves’ return will save Yorkshire from a perilous financial position, with debts of £17m due to be repaid in October.
He will advance an unsecured loan of £1m to the club and will be joined on the board by former president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Phillip Hodson, Sanjay Patel, who recently left his post as managing director of The Hundred, and Sanjeev Gandhi, previously a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Graves is understood to be proposing to change Yorkshire from a members’ club into a private limited company.
More to follow
