Yorkshire County Cricket Club fined and docked County Championship points over Azeem Rafiq racism scandal

Yorkshire will also be docked four points in T20, too.

The club released a statement on Friday saying they were 'disappointed' by the points deduction but accepted the sanctions imposed on them.

"We accept the sanctions against Yorkshire County Cricket Club imposed by the Cricket Discipline Commission," the statement read.

"Following representations by the Board at last month's hearing, the CDC and ECB have today acknowledged the vast amount of work done by YCCC to overcome the cultural issues that existed within the Club, which allowed racist and discriminatory behaviour to go unchallenged.

"We are accountable for these issues, and we accepted four amended charges as part of a continued commitment to ensure we are able to move forward.

"We are disappointed to receive the points deductions which affects players and staff at the Club, who were not responsible for the situation.

"They have worked tirelessly on and off the field to rebuild Yorkshire into an inclusive and welcoming Club that reflects the communities it serves. Greater clarity over our situation will allow us all now to look ahead."

The statement continued: "There remains much to do, but we have made significant investments to put in place best practice processes and procedures, as well as driving equity, diversity and inclusion through a new framework and taking important steps to improve the matchday experience to encourage greater inclusivity and tackle discrimination.

"This is in addition to the real progress we have seen on our Performance Pathway, ensuring young cricketers from all backgrounds can take part regardless of their economic circumstances.

"We look forward to continued dialogue with the ECB to ensure the financial penalty does not hinder our ongoing commitment to build on the strong foundations that have been laid.

"We remain focused on efforts to secure YCCC's sustainability, ensuring the stability required to create a brighter future for all associated with Yorkshire Cricket."

Rafiq first spoke publicly about his experiences of racism back in September 2020.

He launched legal action against the club three months later saying he had suffered 'discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race.'

Yorkshire issued an apology to the cricketer the following year, with a report then published in September 2021.

The club admitted the 32-year-old was a victim of 'racial harassment and bullying'.

Rafiq insisted earlier this month that action had to be taken to prevent racism and discrimination from occuring in the sport.

"It's a time for cricket to really grasp where it's been going wrong, understand it properly and then put things in place that are going to make a difference," he told The Mirror.

"I think we're a long way from that. We know the problem. We need to understand the problem and then work out the solutions.

"It's upsetting and quite sad that even now there are large portions of cricket that just do not want to accept this as a problem so that's a worry.

"I'd encourage people to put their personal things to one side and start listening for the sake of the game, come together and play their part in making cricket a game for everyone."

Rafiq added: "I'm not saying these awards are going to change the world or anything, but it's lots of little things [we need] and that's why I put my day and night into this because you have an opportunity to make the biggest impact possible on other people's lives.

"In our society, I think sport can drive [change] in such a manner that nothing else can and I think it's important that we start having proper conversations around this.

"It's important that we take the fear out of these conversations and really come together. I don't want to be sitting here calling people out."