Azeem Rafiq Challenged Over Michael Vaughan 'Discrepancy' At Cricket Racism Hearing

Azeem Rafiq was questioned over his two versions of former England captain Michael Vaughan's alleged racist comment towards him during a hearing in London on Thursday. Pakistan-born Rafiq, 32, first went public with allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020, related to his two spells at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. He had informed Yorkshire's initial 2021 probe that Vaughan had told Rafiq and three other players before a match: "There's too many of you lot, we need to do something about it."

But during the second day of a Cricket Discipline Commission hearing, Vaughan's lawyer referred to a Wisden interview in which Rafiq quoted Vaughan as saying: "There's too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that."

Rafiq said the second version was the one he remembered, adding: "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."

Questioned by Vaughan's lawyer, Christopher Stoner, over why a discrepancy existed, Rafiq replied: "I have no explanation at all."

Asked how he knew it was Vaughan who made the alleged comment, Rafiq replied: "I know what his voice is like."

'Being played'

He was also asked about a November 2021 meeting at which Rafiq said Vaughan offered an "apology non-apology".

"Michael headed off to Australia and his general chat around all this was relayed back to me," he added. "I felt like I was being played."

ECB lawyer Jane Mulcahy had earlier repeated the allegation Vaughan made the "too many" remark on the outfield before a Twenty20 match between Yorkshire and