Former Forest CEO resigns from Yorkshire CCC post

The crisis at Yorkshire County Cricket Club has deepened this evening after chief executive Mark Arthur resigned over the club’s response to racism aimed at Azeem Rafiq.

Former Nottingham Forest CEO Arthur follows chairman Roger Hutton through the door at Yorkshire, which on Tuesday suspended coach Andrew Gale over a tweet he sent in 2010. Meanwhile, director of cricket Martyn Moxon is on leave from work over a “stress-related illness”.

Yorkshire have been suspended from hosting international matches by the ECB, while sponsors have walked away from deals they had with the club.

Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, 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 said: “I’ve had eight fantastic years at The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, working alongside an outstanding group of people, and together achieving many highlights.

“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.”

In the interim, the board has appointed Paul Hudson, finance director, as acting CEO.