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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Yorkshire 'set for legal fight' with six ex-coaches who were fired after racism scandal

Yorkshire have been served with six employment tribunal claims by former employees who were sacked in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

Former bowling coach Richard Pyrah and strength and conditioning coach Ian Fisher are the latest to file claims, according to the Daily Mail. The report states that Pyrah and Fisher's claims have been added to a preliminary hearing with four of their former colleagues.

The hearing is currently scheduled to take place on May 6 in Leeds, with all six former employees among the 16 staff members Yorkshire sacked back in December as part of a regime change. At the time, new chairman Lord Patel stated the decision was taken to try and install "a culture which is progressive and inclusive".

"Significant change is required at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and we are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to regain trust," Patel said. "The decisions announced today were difficult to make, but are in the best interests of the Club.

"Without making important changes to how we are run, we cannot move on from the past to become a culture which is progressive and inclusive." Former Yorkshire chairman Robin Smith has warned that Lord Patel could be personally liable for the sackings.

And last week, the Telegraph revealed that Lord Patel had sent a letter to the ECB where he admitted his concerns. "Without firm formal support from ECB I am left wide open legally to be sued," Patel is said to have written.

Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel (AFP via Getty Images)

Those sacked by Yorkshire are said to be seeking damages due to concerns that their reputations have been 'tarnished by association' and left them 'unable to work in the sport again'. It is also claimed that Yorkshire have already reached settlements with two other ex-employees for around £500,000-£750,000 combined.

The club has been gripped by a civil war in recent weeks, with Smith taking aim at Patel's leadership and trying to block the passing of reforms which would see the ECB allow Yorkshire to host England games once again. An ECB spokesperson said: "Given all that we have heard from Azeem and others about the club, it has been absolutely clear that reform is needed.

"Lord Patel has set out a significant and serious plan to make Yorkshire CCC a modern and diverse club capable of representing and engaging all communities in Yorkshire. We want to see all parties work together to support Lord Patel in the reform package he has set out. It is not acceptable for anyone to stand in the way of progress at YCCC."

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