Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur resigns over the club’s response to Azeem Rafiq case

He becomes the latest to resign from Yorkshire CCC

The chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Mark Arthur, has resigned over the club's response to the Azeem Rafiq case, reports the BBC. In a statement, Lord Patel, the new chairman of Yorkshire CCC following the resignation of Roger Hutton last week, said: "Today (11 November) the Board at Yorkshire County Cricket Club has accepted the resignation of Mark Arthur as CEO. We thank him for his tenure.

"This is an important moment for the club, which is ready to move forward with new leadership, which will be vital in driving the change we urgently need.

"We know there is still much work to be done and more difficult decisions to be made. We need to rebuild the trust of the fans, the cricketing world and the public."

Arthur also released a short statement, pointing to some of his personal highlights of his eight-year tenure.

"I’ve had eight fantastic years at The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, working alongside an outstanding group of people, and together achieving many highlights," he said, before listing some of his accomplishments.

He added: "I would like to thank the Members for their support over this period and wish the Club all the very best in the years to come."

Arthur's resignation comes afterRafiq had called for him to step down from his position over the handling of the investigation.

The former Yorkshire player made 43 allegations of racism in relation to his time at the side and an independent investigation upheld seven of his claims which concluded he had been a victim of "racial harassment and bullying".

Related links:

• Joe Root breaks silence on Yorkshire racism scandal
• Yorkshire CCC launch investigation after head of HR called supporter ‘a coward’
• Yorkshire County Cricket Club chairman resigns amid deepening racism row