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Essex County Cricket Club is facing another independent review following allegations of anti-semitism against the new chair, Azeem Akhtar.

Mr Akhtar was only announced as the club's new chair on Monday but has stepped aside pending the outcome of an investigation.

The Jewish Chronicle printed a story alleging Mr Akhtar liked a number of tweets going back to last year which are seen as anti-Semitic. These include one drawing comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany and another Tweet where an Algerian athlete announced they were withdrawing from the Olympics to avoid competing against an Israeli.

Mr Akhtar released a statement on Thursday saying he was stepping aside while an independent review is carried out, and it is important both he and the club hold themselves to the highest standards of governance and accountability. He's also stated he is committed to ensuring Essex County Cricket Club is an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. He's also quoted in the Jewish Chronicle as saying he is 鈥渧ehemently鈥� not anti-Semitic and had liked the tweets because he was upset about killings in Israel and Palestine. He's also stated he would want the Jewish community to feel they had the most Jewish friendly chairman of Essex County Cricket Club they鈥檝e ever had.

Essex County Cricket Club said in a statement they remain committed to tackling discrimination and racism and have a zero-tolerance approach in this area, adding "all of those connected with Essex want to ensure the Club is a safe and welcoming place where everyone, no matter of background, can play a major part in the future of Essex Cricket." They have also said they will make no further comment pending the outcome of the review.

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