Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has apologised “for the hurt” that whistleblower Azeem Rafiq experienced but he again denied making racist comments while at county club Yorkshire.
Vaughan also apologised for a series of offensive historic tweets, including one questioning the lack of English speakers in London and another suggesting that England spinner Moeen Ali should ask random Muslims if they are terrorists.
Rafiq’s revelations about the racism and bullying he suffered at Yorkshire has sparked a crisis in the English game, and his accusation about Vaughan prompted the BBC to drop the former skipper from its coverage of the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
Vaughan and Rafiq were teammates at Yorkshire when Vaughan allegedly told a group of players of Asian ethnicity in 2009: “There are too many of you lot; we need to do something about it.”
In a BBC interview shown on Saturday, Vaughan was asked if he ever made any racist comments during his time at Yorkshire. He replied: “No I didn’t, no.”
Rafiq, a former England under-19 captain, recently testified at a parliamentary hearing about the racism he suffered while playing at Yorkshire, describing “inhuman” treatment, with Vaughan and others implicated in the case.
“I’m sorry for the hurt that he’s gone through,” Vaughan told the BBC.
“Time, I don’t think, can ever be a healer in the situation that he’s gone through.
“But hopefully time can be a way of us making sure that Yorkshire County Cricket Club never goes through this situation again and never puts themselves in a position of denial that they treated a player so badly.
“It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much (and) be treated so badly at the club that I love.
“I have to take some responsibility for that because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and if in any way shape or form I’m responsible for any of his hurt, I apologise for that.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday released its comprehensive plan to address issues raised by Rafiq. It includes the creation of an anti-discrimination unit and a review of dressing-room culture.
Rafiq’s accusation about Vaughan was supported by former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England legspinner Adil Rashid, who said they heard the comment.
Of his historic tweets, Vaughan added: “I apologise deeply to anyone that I’ve offended with those.
“Times have moved on and I regret those tweets. We all make mistakes and in my life I’ve made quite a few mistakes on Twitter. I apologise for that.”
jameswm
Roar Guru
Like matth said - 2 others have said they heard it.
matth
Roar Guru
Two former players have corroborated the story.
Paul
Roar Guru
He was supposed to have made these comments in front of the team, wasn't he? Certainly in front of other players. If so, I think they could prove the story one way or the other by verifying what was actually said. I'd also guess if Vaughan did make these comments once, he'd have made similar remarks on other occasions. Again, if people are prepared to step up, maybe we can get a better idea about what's been said. Unfortunately, I'll bet there are lots of memory lapses.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Paul how are you supposed to prove someone said something, unless you have it on tape? He said she said is all you will get.
Paul
Roar Guru
yeah, not keen to buy into this too much. Right now, it's "he said, I said" with zero proof either way. Shame to make a judgement without some solid fact.
jameswm
Roar Guru
It's 3 vs 1 on whether he said it.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So what I get from this is: 1. This is one of those fake apologies. I deny I said it or did anything wrong, but I apologise to anyone who is offended. Here is Vaughan's quote: “I have to take some responsibility for that because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and if in any way shape or form I’m responsible for any of his hurt, I apologise for that.” 2. If it comes down to who to believe, Rafiq is backed up by 2 others (former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England legspinner Adil Rashid, who said they heard the comment) plus Vaughan made other racist tweets. Not really the best look for him.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Imagine if he had to abide by the ethos of Elite Honesty
Paul D
Roar Guru
In a BBC interview shown on Saturday, Vaughan was asked if he ever made any racist comments during his time at Yorkshire. He replied: “No I didn’t, no.” What you can take from Vaughan's commentary on this is that either he's saying all 3 players of Asian ethnicity who are saying he made the comment are lying, or that he doesn't consider “There are too many of you lot; we need to do something about it" to be a racist comment. Love to see him try and clarify this.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
U
Roar Rookie
Well, well. Mr Cancelling Others is now in the firing line. I do love the holier than thou types who are so quick to condemn people who get themselves into trouble. They end up having skeletons in their own closet.
Tom
Alternative headline "Vaughan makes pissweak apology over something he denied when he realises his short term money supply is in jeopardy". He was a pretty ordinary bloke before this, an even worse one now.
Marty
Roar Rookie
‘Times have moved on’? Twitters only been around since 2006 and, from what I can remember, making ‘jokes’ about someone’s ethnicity was as inappropriate then as it is now. Just apologies mate, spare us the half assed justifications.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
To be a repentant cricketer you must be Vaughn Again!
AJ
Guest
From memory he's been quick to sink the boot into other people when they're down (particularly Aussies), so no sympathy here either.
Paul
Roar Guru
No sympathy for Vaughan if he did the crime.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well mate the past can come back to bite you on the bum.
Paul
Roar Guru
and all the while he's doing himself out of a media career
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Yep. Hope he can swim!
Paul
Roar Guru
Seems to me like Michael Vaughan has created his own Titanic. First he denies all, then more evidence comes to light, the ship starts to sink and the apologies begin. It'll be interesting to see where Vaughan ends up, in a lifeboat, or......