Azeem Rafiq: I wish I’d spoken earlier about racist comments

Rafiq told Yorkshire’s enquiry into the racism scandal at the club in 2021 that Vaughan said to Rafiq and three other Asian players before a match: ‘There’s too many of you lot, we need to do something about it.’ But during day two of the Cricket Discipline Commission, Vaughan’s lawyer quoted an interview with Wisden in which Rafiq’s recollection of the comment was: ‘There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that.’

Rafiq said the second version is the one he recalls, and added: ‘In terms of the statement, there was a clear mistake and I take full responsibility. I want to emphasise it is very clear on “too many of you lot” which is the discriminatory part against a group of Asian players. The second part is an action. Clearly there is a discrepancy.’ Asked why there was a discrepancy by Christopher Stoner KC, Rafiq replied: ‘I have no explanation at all.’

Stoner’s cross-examination of Rafiq and Adil Rashid centred on the wording of the comment and the memories both have of a T20 match against Nottinghamshire almost 14 years ago.

Rashid, via video from Bangladesh, said he had a ‘clear recollection’ of the ‘you lot’ comment, which he took as ‘bad humour’ which did not offend him. Vaughan was charged by the ECB over the alleged comment towards Rafiq, Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. He denies the claim and will defend himself today.

Rafiq concluded his appearance by saying: ‘I wish now I had that courage to have said it at the time. Maybe I wouldn’t be here and carry the mental scars I carry. Anyone who has ever spoke out know how tough it is.’

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