{"id":5706,"date":"2021-11-19T06:31:55","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T06:31:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tensportstv.com\/?p=5706"},"modified":"2021-11-19T06:33:29","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T06:33:29","slug":"azeem-rafiq-has-apologised-for-making-antisemitic-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tensportstv.com\/azeem-rafiq-has-apologised-for-making-antisemitic-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"Azeem Rafiq has apologised for making antisemitic comments"},"content":{"rendered":"
Azeem Rafiq has apologized and said he is “deeply ashamed” for using anti-Semitic language in Facebook messages from 2011. Former spinner Rafiq has spoken of his experiences of racism at Yorkshire and appeared at a Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport select committee this week. <\/span>The 30-year-old said he had “absolutely no excuses” for the messages.<\/span><\/p>\n Rafiq said: “I was sent an image of this exchange from early 2011 today (Thursday). I have gone back to check my account and it is me. I have absolutely no excuses.<\/p>\n “I am ashamed of this exchange and have now deleted it so as not to cause further offense. And I was 19 at the time and I hope and believe I am a different person today.<\/p>\n “I am incredibly angry at myself and I apologize to the Jewish community and everyone who is rightly offended by this.”<\/p>\n “Rafiq has suffered terribly at the hands of racists in cricket so he will well understand the hurt this exchange will cause to Jews who have supported him.Azeem Rafiq has apologized for his Racist messages<\/h2>\n
He further added:<\/h6>\n
The Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie Van Der Zyl has appeared to accept his apology, stating:<\/h6>\n
\n“His apology certainly seems heartfelt and we have no reason to believe he is not completely sincere.”<\/p>\n