Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has apologized for the “injury” caused to whistleblower Azim Rafiq, but he again denied making racist remarks while at county club Yorkshire.
Rafiq’s revelations about racism and bullying in Yorkshire have caused a crisis in English sport, and his allegation about Vaughan prompted the BBC to remove the former international from its coverage of the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
Vaughan and Rafiq teammates Yorkshire were England’s most successful cricket club when Vaughan reportedly told a group of players of Asian ethnicity in 2009: There are too many of you; We need to do something about it.
In a BBC interview shown on Saturday, Vaughan was asked if he had ever made any racist remarks during his time in Yorkshire. He replied: “No, I haven’t, no.”
Former England Under-19 captain Rafiq recently testified at a parliamentary hearing about racism while playing in Yorkshire, describing the inhuman treatment of Vaughan and others.
Vaughan told the BBC: “I am sorry for the hurt he has gone through.
“I don’t think time, in that situation, could ever be a physician that he went through. But hopefully time can be a way for us to make sure that the county of Yorkshire Cricket Club never goes through this situation again and never puts itself in a position to deny that they treated a player so badly.
“It hurts so much,” he continued, “I feel sad that a player has behaved so badly (and) at a club that I love. I have to take some responsibility for it because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and I apologize if in any way shape or form I am responsible for any of his injuries.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday released its comprehensive plan to address the issues raised by Rafiq. This includes the creation of an anti-discrimination unit and a review of dressing-room culture.
Rafiq’s allegation about Vaughan was supported by former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who said they heard the remarks.
Vaughan also apologized for a series of offensive historical tweets, including one questioning the lack of English speakers in London and the other suggesting that England spinner Moeen Ali should ask random Muslims if they are terrorists.
“I deeply apologize to anyone who offended me with those tweets,” Vaughan said.
“Time has moved on and I’m sorry for those tweets. We all make mistakes and in my life I’ve made some mistakes on Twitter. I apologize for that.”
Michael Vaughan apologizes for offensive tweets and hurts Azeem Rafiq
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has apologized for the “injury” caused to whistleblower Azim Rafiq, but he again denied making racist remarks while at county club Yorkshire.
Rafiq’s revelations about racism and bullying in Yorkshire have caused a crisis in English sport, and his allegation about Vaughan prompted the BBC to remove the former international from its coverage of the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
Vaughan and Rafiq teammates Yorkshire were England’s most successful cricket club when Vaughan reportedly told a group of players of Asian ethnicity in 2009: There are too many of you; We need to do something about it.
In a BBC interview shown on Saturday, Vaughan was asked if he had ever made any racist remarks during his time in Yorkshire. He replied: “No, I haven’t, no.”
Former England Under-19 captain Rafiq recently testified at a parliamentary hearing about racism while playing in Yorkshire, describing the inhuman treatment of Vaughan and others.
Vaughan told the BBC: “I am sorry for the hurt he has gone through.
“I don’t think time, in that situation, could ever be a physician that he went through. But hopefully time can be a way for us to make sure that the county of Yorkshire Cricket Club never goes through this situation again and never puts itself in a position to deny that they treated a player so badly.
“It hurts so much,” he continued, “I feel sad that a player has behaved so badly (and) at a club that I love. I have to take some responsibility for it because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and I apologize if in any way shape or form I am responsible for any of his injuries.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday released its comprehensive plan to address the issues raised by Rafiq. This includes the creation of an anti-discrimination unit and a review of dressing-room culture.
Rafiq’s allegation about Vaughan was supported by former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who said they heard the remarks.
Vaughan also apologized for a series of offensive historical tweets, including one questioning the lack of English speakers in London and the other suggesting that England spinner Moeen Ali should ask random Muslims if they are terrorists.
“I deeply apologize to anyone who offended me with those tweets,” Vaughan said.
“Time has moved on and I’m sorry for those tweets. We all make mistakes and in my life I’ve made some mistakes on Twitter. I apologize for that.”
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