Vaughan goes 'on front foot' at charity gig after Yorkshire racism hearing

27 March 2023 , 10:10

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Vaughan goes 'on front foot' at charity gig after Yorkshire racism hearing

Former England captain Michael Vaughan reportedly went on the attack during a recent charity gig amid the ongoing ECB racism investigation.

Vaughan, 48, is charged with bringing the game into disrepute over a comment made to former Yorkshire teammates Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ajmal Shahzad in 2009.

He was called to give evidence at the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission hearing earlier this month but vehemently denies the allegation that he told the players "there's too many of you lot".

Vaughan appeared at a charity event in Blackpool last week and reportedly went 'on the front foot' amid the ongoing case.

The Daily Mail reports Vaughan opened up his appearance by saying: "I don't want you lot in 14 years saying I have said something that I didn't."

Ex-England stars pull out of Rafiq racism inquiry and slam "failed" ECB process

The 2005 Ashes winner, who was born in Lancashire before moving to Yorkshire, is also said to have welcomed ribbing about his roots amid the Yorkshire racism probe.

During his appearance at the disciplinary hearing, Vaughan said it was "inconceivable" that he had made the alleged racist comment to his former teammates, although he admitted he could not remember exactly what he said.

His lawyer Christopher Stoner went on to state that Vaughan's "life and livelihood is at stake" with the case ongoing. And during their closing submissions, his legal team took aim at the ECB, describing the racism investigation case as "wholly inadequate" and biased.

Michael Vaughan has denied the allegation of racism made by Azeem Rafiq (AP)

ECB lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC claimed such allegations were inappropriate and said it was "inherently probable" that Vaughan made the comment to the four players on June 22, 2009.

Azeem Rafiq initially made the racism allegations in September 2020, suggesting there was institutional racism at Yorkshire. His allegation against Vaughan were corroborated by England spinner Rashid and ex-Pakistan star Ul-Hasan, although Shahzad said he has no recollection of the alleged incident.

The panel plan to deliver their written judgements in the case by the end of March

Liam Prenderville