Former Yorkshire boss Andrew Gale wins ‘unfair dismissal’ case against the county
- Seb Sternik
- 8 June 2022
Former Yorkshire head coach Andrew Gale was sacked in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, but has since won an unfair dismissal claim against the club.
An employment judge has ruled that Gale and five former members of the club's staff had a "well founded" case, and said remedies will have to be agreed or imposed.
The 38-year-old was one of 16 members of Yorkshire's staff who were sacked after racism allegations by former bowler Rafiq rocked English cricket.
The county accepted last year that Rafiq had been subjected to racial harassment and bullying, but they initially refused to take any action against their employees. After widespread criticism, that soon changed.
Employment judge Joanna Wade said: "The claimants' complaints of unfair dismissal are well founded."
She added: "Remedy and any other complaints proceed to hearing unless otherwise resolved."
The decision also involved former bowling coach Rich Pyrah, academy lead Richard Damms, second-team coach Ian Dews, and strength and conditioning coaches Ian Fisher and Peter Sim.
There were no further details from the private hearing which took place on May 23.
Gale, who played for Yorkshire for more than a decade before taking over as coach in 2016, was suspended in November after a tweet emerged which he posted back in 2010.
The Rafiq racism scandal had huge repercussions for the county, including a whole host of departures as well as sponsors pulling out.
In December, the club confirmed a clear-out of the entire coaching team, with Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon losing their positions.
At the time, Gale admitted he would take legal action, telling the BBC: "The decision has come as a surprise to me. The players knew about it before I did and I will be fighting the decision legally."
Both Gale and Moxon faced criticism at a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) hearing as Rafiq repeated his call for them to resign from their roles at the club.
Lord Patel was installed as the new chairman of the club six months ago and tasked with overseeing wholesale cultural and structural changes.
As club members approved reforms, Headingley has since regained its right to host international matches - something which provides Yorkshire with a significant chunk of revenue.
The stadium will host England's Test clash with New Zealand later this month.
