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LONDON. — Azeem Rafiq has apologised and said he is “deeply ashamed” for using anti-Semitic language in Facebook messages from 2011.

Former spinner Rafiq has spoken of his experiences of racism at Yorkshire and appeared at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee this week.

The 30-year-old said he had “absolutely no excuses” for the messages.

“I am incredibly angry at myself and apologise to the Jewish community,” he said in a statement.

The messages were sent between Rafiq and another cricketer on Facebook.

Rafiq said he had deleted the messages to not cause further offence.

“I have absolutely no excuses. I am ashamed of this exchange,” he said.

“I was 19 at the time and hope and believe I am a different person today.”

Claudia Mendoza, co-chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said Rafiq had “undoubtedly” learned a lot since 2011.

“There’s no doubt that this is massively awkward for Azeem Rafiq,” Mendoza wrote on Twitter.

Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “Azeem Rafiq has suffered terribly at the hands of racists in cricket so he will well understand the hurt this exchange will cause to Jews who have supported him.

“His apology certainly seems heartfelt and we have no reason to believe he is not completely sincere.”

Rafiq has spoken powerfully about his experiences of racist abuse when he played for Yorkshire in 2008-14 and 2016-18. — BBC Sport.