Michael Vaughan cleared over alleged racism towards Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire as ECB charges dismissed
Michael Vaughan has been cleared over ECB charges brought against him for alleged racism during his time at Yorkshire.
The decisions of the independent Cricket Discipline Commission panel have been confirmed after allegations by ex-Yorkshire bowler Azeem Rafiq.
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Ex-England captain Vaughan was alleged to have told a group of Yorkshire team-mates of Asian ethnicity there were 'too many of you lot' before a T20 match against Nottinghamshire in 2009.
Vaughan had always denied using the phrase towards Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ajmal Shahzad as the Yorkshire team broke from their huddle at Trent Bridge.
The CDC panel's decision on Vaughan stated: "There are significant inconsistencies in the evidence of both primary witnesses, AZR (Rafiq) and ADR (Rashid), in this regard.
"These are recognised by the ECB in the manner in which it closed its case.
"Considering all the relevant evidence on this first limb of the charge (that the conduct in question occurred), the panel is not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that this form of words was said.
"Accordingly, the first limb of the ECB's charge against MV is not proved."
Addressing whether Vaughan had used the phrase "there's too many of you lot", the panel said: "Having taken into account all the relevant evidence in respect of the second and alternative limb of the charge, the panel is not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that these words were spoken by MV (Vaughan) at the time and in the specific circumstances alleged.
"Accordingly, the second limb of the ECB's charge against MV is not proved."
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The panel added: "These findings do not in any way undermine the wider assertions made by AZR (Rafiq), many of which of course have been confirmed by the admissions of both YCCC and certain individuals, as well as by other findings of this panel."
Rafiq first spoke out in 2020 about the discrimination he suffered across two stints with the county.
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Vaughan wrote on his Instagram account on Friday morning: "The dismissal of the specific charge that concerned me takes nothing away from Azeem's own lived experiences."
Yorkshire accepted in September 2021 that Rafiq had been the victim of racial harassment and bullying, but a month later said no individuals would face disciplinary action as a consequence.
The ECB subsequently launched its own investigation and charged six individuals - Vaughan, John Blain, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah - in June 2022.
Vaughan was the only individual charged who appeared in person at the CDC hearing held in public across four days earlier this month.
The five other individuals, who did not participate in the case, were found liable for alleged use of racist language.
A seventh individual, former Yorkshire player Gary Ballance, has also admitted using racist and/or discriminatory language.
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Yorkshire admitted four charges, including a failure to address systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language at the club over a prolonged period.
Vaughan's lawyer, Christopher Stoner KC, told the panel in closing submissions on March 7 that the shape of his client's 'life and livelihood' were at stake in this case.
Vaughan's statement, subsequently issued through his solicitors, began: "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."
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