Vaughan racism claims dismissed as ex-England captain speaks out
Michael Vaughan has introduced in an announcement on social media that an England and Wales Cricket Board cost in opposition to him over an allegation he used racist or discriminatory language throughout his time at Yorkshire has been dismissed by an unbiased Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel. The former England captain made the announcement on Friday after an extended investigation.
The 48-year-old had been charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board with allegedly making a racist remark in direction of a bunch of Yorkshire team-mates – Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ajmal Shahzad – earlier than a match in 2009.
Vaughan, who had all the time categorically denied utilizing racist language, stepped down from a punditry position with the BBC when the allegations had been made.
But the Ashes-winning captain has introduced that the fees in opposition to him have been dropped and broke his silence on the matter with a prolonged assertion launched on his Instagram web page.
“It has been both difficult and upsetting to hear about the painful experiences which Azeem has described over the past three years. The outcome of these CDC proceedings must not be allowed to detract from the core message that there can be no place for racism in the game of cricket, or in society generally,” Vaughan stated within the assertion.
“As with others who have spoken about their time at Yorkshire, I can only speak of my own experiences and of my own time there. The dismissal of the specific charge that concerned me takes nothing away from Azeem’s own lived experiences. The hearing made public that Azeem and I met 18 months ago, well before the CDC proceedings came into existence. I told him then that I am sorry for his unacceptable, negative experiences at the club I love and in the sport I love.
“We had what I assumed was a very optimistic and constructive dialogue. We shook palms with a shared intention to work collectively in an effort to create optimistic change in cricket. For my half, nothing has altered in that respect. There remains to be a job to do and I stay eager to assist result in optimistic change in any method that I can. Cricket has been my life.”
Vaughan also took aim at the Cricket Discipline Commission for their “inappropriate and insufficient” proceedings and explained why he never made a public apology, insisting he could not say sorry for “one thing I do know I didn’t do”.
“Particularly with a problem resembling this, CDC proceedings had been an inappropriate, insufficient and backwards step,” he continued. “One of many the reason why I maintain that view is as a result of CDC proceedings are adversarial. They invite declare and counterclaim. They invite these concerned to accuse one another of untruths or of mendacity.
“The inevitable consequence of the ECB’s decision-making was that three former team-mates, one of whom is a current England international player, were pitted against one another in what later became a public forum for the world at large to see.
“Despite being criticised by the ECB for not accusing others of mendacity, I stay of the view that no good can come of that method. There aren’t any winners on this course of and there are higher methods – there should be higher methods – for cricket to maneuver ahead positively and successfully.
“I have never wanted to do anything that runs contrary to genuine efforts to clean up the game of cricket. I truly hope people can understand why, on a personal level, I just could not accept or apologise for something which I know I did not do.
“At occasions this course of has introduced me to the brink of falling out of affection with cricket. I received’t deal with right here the toll that it has taken on me and my household however I had little question that’s has additionally been extremely hectic for all the others involved. I hope that for them and for cricket, an inclusive therapeutic course of can now start.
“Now that the ECB’s charge against me has been dismissed, I want to thank the panel for their careful attention in very difficult circumstances and to thank all of those who have given me their support during an incredibly difficult period in my life.”
Five others had been additionally accused – former Test stars Matthew Hoggard and Tim Bresnan, ex-Yorkshire coaches Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah and former Scotland worldwide John Blain.
Vaughan was the one one who appeared to defend himself with the fees levelled in opposition to him.