Staff Reporter.
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Former England captain Michael Vaughan says he is “sorry for all the hurt” Azeem Rafiq has gone through during the Yorkshire racism scandal.
Vaughan was named in the Yorkshire report by ex-team-mate Rafiq, who alleged he made a racist comment to a group of Asian players.
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Vaughan continued to deny the claim and said he never made racist comments while at Yorkshire.
But he admitted his regret at some tweets he had sent in the past.
“It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much be treated so badly at the club that I love,” Vaughan said.
“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.”
Asked if he ever made any racist comments during his time at Yorkshire, he said: “No I didn’t. No.”
Vaughan captained England in Tests between 2003 and 2008. He played his entire domestic career at Yorkshire – between 1993 and 2009 – before becoming a summariser on BBC Test Match Special.
Vaughan,will not be part of the BBC’s Ashes coverage this winter:
A statement said “while he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate” for Vaughan to be involved.
Vaughan said he “understood” the decision and he and the cooperation are having “ongoing conversations” about his future.
“I just hope in time I get that chance to come back and the one thing that I’ve loved more than anything since I retired is talking cricket.
“I hope next year I can get back working with the team.
“I love being on Test Match Special and hopefully in time I get the chance to do it again.”
Rafiq alleged Vaughan said “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it” to him and three other players during match for Yorkshire in 2009.