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EXCLUSIVE: Yorkshire strikes six-figure compensation deal with Andrew Gale over unfair dismissal case amid fallout from Azeem Rafiq racism scandal… as club admits their former captain and coach’s claim during mediation
- Andrew Gale has agreed on a six-figure compensation deal for unfair dismissal
- Yorkshire has relented during mediation with Gale and struck a deal
- Yorkshire has agreed to pay off 10 former employees, plus Azeem Rafiq
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Yorkshire has agreed a six-figure compensation package with former captain and coach Andrew Gale in a mediated settlement after he granted his claim for unfair dismissal.
The club has also reached a settlement with former bowling coach Richard Pyrah, who was fired along with Gale along with 14 other members of their backroom team last December in the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s racism scandal.
Yorkshire has now agreed to pay off 10 former staff members in addition to Rafiq after admitting liability last summer, as revealed by Sports post.
In their most recent settlement accounts, Yorkshire set aside £1.9m for ‘various charges related to the racism allegations’ and the payouts will have major financial implications for the club, which paid £200,000 to Rafiq and £300,000 to the former chief executive Mark Arthur last year.
Gale has always strongly denied making any racist comments towards Rafiq and has described Yorkshire’s treatment of him as abhorrent.
The 38-year-old has kept quiet throughout the uproar, other than making a statement earlier this summer accusing the ECB of orchestrating a witch hunt and saying he would not attend their disciplinary hearing as he is no longer involved. at sports.
Andrew Gale has agreed to a six-figure compensation deal with Yorkshire for unfair dismissal
Yorkshire has now agreed to join Azeem Rafiq . 10 former employees to pay off
“Let me start by saying that I was very disappointed when Azeem’s original allegations were first brought to my attention,” Gale said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I deny any allegations that Azeem has made to YCCC and subsequently through the ECB that I have used racist language and bullied Azeem.
“I was stunned at first, but now I’m angry that he made such accusations against me.
Gale was one of the employees fired in the wake of a racism scandal involving Rafiq. Gale has strongly and consistently denied ever making racist remarks towards Rafiq
“I will always be unhappy with how my career has ended, but I refuse to let unsubstantiated accusations from an embittered ex-colleague and a YCCC/ECB witch hunt rule my life.
“In the same way, I refuse to act or be seen as an eternal victim, despite the fact that my treatment by the club was abhorrent.”
Yorkshire’s willingness to settle means they will avoid appearing before the Leeds Employment Tribunal, which was set for October 31.
A statement from Yorkshire read: ‘On 3 December 2021, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club Limited took the decision to lay off its coaching and medical staff. The Club has acknowledged that the dismissal of that group of employees was procedurally unfair.
“Following meaningful dialogue between the Club and legal counsel acting on behalf of Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah, the parties can confirm that acceptable terms of settlement have been reached.
“The financial terms of the settlements are confidential and no further public statement about the terms will be made.”