Michael Vaughan racism charge dismissed as ex-England captain reveals ‘toll taken on family’

Michael Vaughan has released an emotional statement as a racism investigation into an alleged comment came to a close.

Michael Vaughan has revealed cricket chiefs have dismissed the racism charge against him in an emotional statement.

The 48-year-old had been charged with making a racist comment towards a group of Yorkshire teammates by the England and Wales Cricket Board, The Sun reports.

The comment was alleged to have been made towards Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ajmal Shahzad before a match in 2009.

But England cricket icon Vaughan has revealed he has been cleared of the charges.

However, his former Yorkshire teammates Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah were all found, on the balance of probabilities, to have used racist and/or discriminatory language.

In a post on his social media, Vaughan said: “It has been both difficult and upsetting to hear about the painful experiences which Azeem has described over the past three years.

“The outcome of these CDC proceedings must not be allowed to detract from the core message that there can be no place for racism in the game of cricket, or in society generally.

“The dismissal of the specific charge that concerned me takes nothing away from Azeem’s own live experiences.

“The hearing made public that Azeem and I met 18 months ago. I told him that I am sorry for his unacceptable, negative experience at the club I love and in the sport I love.”

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has been cleared. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Vaughan concluded his statement by opening up on the “toll” it has taken on him and his family.

He said: “At times this process has brought me to the brink of falling out of love with cricket.

“I won’t address here the toll that it has taken on me and my family, but I have no doubt that is has also been incredibly stressful for all of the others concerned.

“I hope that for them and for cricket, an inclusive healing process can now begin.”

The former batsman was alleged to have told Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Naved-ul-Hasan and Shahzad: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that.”

Vaughan criticised the proceedings, writing: “Particularly with an issue such as this, CDC proceedings were an inappropriate, inadequate and backwards step.”

Following the verdict, an ECB statement with the reasons for the decision attached read: “The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has today published its decisions in relation to charges brought by the ECB against Yorkshire CCC and a number of individuals.

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq said he was the target of racist abuse. (Photo by Handout / PRU / AFP)

“Each of Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah have been found liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 for their alleged use of racist and/or discriminatory language.

“Michael Vaughan has been found not liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3.

“ECB Directive 3.3 states: “No such person may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute”.

“Yorkshire CCC and Gary Ballance had previously admitted charges of breaching the same Directive.

“The independent CDC Panel which heard the matter comprised of Tim O’Gorman (Chair), Mark Milliken-Smith KC and Dr Seema Patel.

“These decisions only relate to liability. Where charges have been upheld or admitted, sanctions will be determined at a later date.”

- This article originally appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission

Originally published as Michael Vaughan racism charge dismissed as ex-England captain reveals ‘toll taken on family’