Yorkshire ‘can never forget’ racism scandal but must look forward – Lord Patel

Yorkshire chair Lord Patel is keen to look to the future but insisted the turmoil the club has been through will never be forgotten.

Patel has overseen major reforms after being parachuted into his role following Azeem Rafiq’s shocking claims of racial harassment and bullying in his time at the county.

Last month Yorkshire announced a partnership with India-based global streaming platform Clean Slate Studioz, and on Sunday the company’s branding was unveiled on the East Stand and Pavilion by West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin.

The Clean Slate deal also includes a commitment to women and girls’ cricket in the area, with the company sponsoring the Northern Diamonds and supplying 50 free kit bags to help underprivileged girls play the sport.

Patel told the PA news agency: “It’s far more than just a sponsorship deal, it’s the beginning of a long journey, a partnership with an organisation that believes in the journey we’re going on.

“We want to tackle discrimination and inequality when it happens, and remember that 51 per cent of the population are women and girls, and actually put that at the centre of everything we’re doing.

“We’re absolutely gobsmacked at what they’ve done and want to do with us and how they want to develop it across the world.

We've taken people on a journey, it's been a rocky journey but I'm so pleased to be here.- Lord Patel

“From day one, even when I was at the ECB, growing the women and girls’ game was really important to me. Obviously I’ve had a few other things to sort out.”

Several sponsors cut ties with Yorkshire following the initial handling of Rafiq’s allegations and they were temporarily stripped of staging England games at Headingley, although that has since been restored.

Patel is encouraged