Earlier today, Azeem Rafiq bravely appeared at a DCMS hearing to share the horrific abuse he had received while playing cricket for Yorkshire.
When reiterating that this was not just an issue in cricket, Rafiq praised Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford for setting an example.
What’s the story?
Well, it’s clear that Henderson and Rashford’s work is making waves, even outside of the footballing world.
As quoted by the Independent, Rafiq said: “I’m not fully in tune with football, but what I’ve seen over the last year-and-a-half is some high-profile footballers showing the world how to behave, with Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson.
“Clearly, there has been some sort of shift in football.”
It was hard to listen to Rafiq speak earlier, in what was a highly emotional hearing.
Clearly, despite all he has been through, the 30-year-old has somewhat been inspired by the £20m Liverpool man’s search for good in sport.
Rafiq went on to highlight how football has shown some signs of progression, whereas cricket is a “boys network” with little inclusivity.
Hopefully, that changes soon – it has to, in all honesty.
Jordan Henderson and others should rally round Azeem Rafiq
Evidently, from listening to Rafiq, he has felt alone in the cricket world as the “boys network” do as they please.
With all due respect to the sport, cricket doesn’t have the power football holds, so perhaps it’s time for the footballing world to get involved.
Rafiq is right. Despite much work still to do, football is improving for the better, and maybe those who have influenced such change, like Henderson, can help to build similar foundations in cricket.
It doesn’t have to be a Premier League-wide thing like the #PlayersTogether appeal, which provided help to the NHS during lockdown.
That would be nice, but even something like Henderson and his Liverpool teammates wearing shirts in support or Rafiq would go a long way.
Whether it’s cricket, football, tennis, rugby or badminton, the world of sport is one when it comes to fighting racism.
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