Former England captain Michael Vaughan has come forward to admit that he is the former player named the report prepared by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club into the allegations of racism levied by the former leg spinner Azeem Rafiq.
However, he has denied all the allegations against him that he was involved in hurling racist slurs to players of Asian origins such as Azeem.
Reportedly, Vaughan has been blamed for saying "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" to Azeem while they were playing together for Yorkshire in the year 2009.
“I completely and categorically deny that I ever said those words. I have nothing to hide. The ‘you lot’ comment never happened. Anyone trying to recollect words said 10 years ago will be fallible but I am adamant those words were not used. If Rafiq believes something was said at the time to upset him then that is what he believes.”
However, his claims of innocence have been contested by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan of Pakistan, who was playing with both of them at Trent Bridge at that time. He has confirmed to ESPNcricinfo about hearing “too many of you lot” comments from Vaughan and reiterated his commitment to providing evidence to inquiry if he is asked for.
The racism saga is refusing to be brushed under the carpet and the gloves are off on sides for Yorkshire, who have been suspended from hosting major games such as the international ones and the Hundred games by the ECB.
Earlier, Gary Ballance had come forward to admit that he is the player mentioned in the report who hurled words such as “P..i” to Azeem while their playing days at the club. However, he too claimed innocence and said that it was “inappropriate” words to exchange between friends who spend a lot of time together and that he was unaware of the impact those words had on Azeem’s life.