“It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much be treated so badly at the club that I love.”
Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Michael Vaughan has said he is “sorry for all the hurt” that Azeem Rafiq has suffered in the Yorkshire racism scandal.
Vaughan was recently named in the Yorkshire report by Rafiq, who claimed he had made a racist comment to a group of Asian players, with Rafiq claiming he said there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it.”
"The treatment I received from some of the club officials was inhuman."
Azeem Rafiq recalls his horrific experiences of racism at Yorkshire CCC pic.twitter.com/WInNj4XtEf
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) November 16, 2021
The former England captain has denied the claim – however Rafiq’s assertion has been supported by Adil Rashid.
Vaughan, who didn’t take part in the original independent investigation, says that he did not recall the incident nor recognise the words he was alleged to have used.
“I just remember it clearly that I was proud as punch that we had four Asian players representing Yorkshire County Cricket Club,” he recalled.
“Nothing but a proud, senior, old pro just about to retire and absolutely delighted that Yorkshire had come so far in my time at the club.”
However during his interview with the BBC, the 47-year-old said that he does have regrets over tweets he has posted in the past.
“It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much be treated so badly at the club that I love,” Vaughan admitted.
“I have to take some responsibility for that because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and if in any way shape or form I’m responsible for any of his hurt, I apologise for that.”
Vaughan was recently dropped from the BBC’s coverage of the Ashes which begins next month but continues to maintain his stance that he did not make a racist comment.
Related links:
- BBC drop Michael Vaughan from Ashes coverage after Azeem Rafiq allegation
- Azeem Rafiq calls for the BBC to take action against Michael Vaughan
- Piers Morgan defends Michael Vaughan over Yorkshire racism allegations
