Rafiq breaks silence as Vaughan is cleared of racism in Yorkshire case

31 March 2023 , 10:21

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Former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq (Image: PA)

Azeem Rafiq has called for cricket's structures to be "rebuilt" in the hopes of ending institutional racism "for good" after the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) announced their verdict on racism charges brought against a number of individuals.

While former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of the charge against him, Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah were all found liable of using racist and/or discriminatory language.

In a statement, Rafiq said: "Charges against seven of the eight defendants, including the widespread use of the ‘P’ word, have been upheld by the CDC today. This comes in addition to the other reports, panels and inquiries that found I and others suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire.

"The issue has never been about individuals but the game as a whole. Cricket needs to understand the extent of its problems and address them.

"Hopefully, the structures of the game can now be rebuilt and institutionalised racism ended for good. It's time to reflect, learn and implement change."

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Blain, who was found to have used the racial slur "P***" by the panel, has already revealed he plans to appeal the decision. "I'll continue to fight this by whatever means are available," he told the Telegraph.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of racism (AP)

"I guess there will be an appeals process and a subsequent process after that will have to be also considered. I've always said that I wouldn't rule out having to go to the High Court to contest this because it's a huge miscarriage of justice.

"It's unfair and very difficult to digest when I've done nothing. I've done absolutely nothing wrong and that's the hardest thing."

Hoggard had three of the four charges against him proven, including the use of the nickname "Raffa the Kaffir" towards Rafiq, the use of the racial slur "P***" and the use of the term "TBM" or "token black man" towards Ismail Dawood. Bresnan, meanwhile, had the charges of using the term "you lot" towards Asian players and referring to Rafiq's sister Amna as "fit P***" or FP" proved.

Matthew Cooper