The ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission exonerated former England captain Michael Vaughan for using bigoted and/or discriminatory language and bringing the game into disrepute. On Friday, the decision of the three-person tribunal that heard the case in London this month was announced.
Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard, and Richard Pyrah, whom all withdrew from the disciplinary procedure, were found guilty of violating ECB Directive 3.3 for their alleged use of racist and/or discriminatory language.
The sanctions they will face will be determined at a distinct, yet-to-be-scheduled hearing. The five have the right to appeal the ruling, and Blain has already announced his intention to do so. “I will continue to fight this using all available means,” he said. “I’ve always stated that I wouldn’t rule out going to the High Court to contest this egregious injustice. When I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s unjust and difficult to accept. I have done nothing wrong, and that is the most difficult part.”
Vaughan characterized the ECB’s actions as “inappropriate and inadequate” and stated that the process of clearing his name “brought me to the verge of losing interest in cricket.”
In June 2009, Vaughan was accused of informing a group of four Asian players that “there are too many of you” before a Twenty20 match. After a three-day hearing, the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission concluded, “having considered all the relevant evidence… the panel is not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Michael Vaughan uttered these words at the time and in the specific circumstances alleged,” and the case against him was dismissed.
Vaughan wrote on Instagram that the CDC’s actions were inappropriate, inadequate, and retrograde about this issue.
“Among the numerous reasons I hold, this opinion is that CDC proceedings are adversarial. They invite assertion and rebuttal. They invite those involved to accuse each other of untruths or falsehoods… I continue to believe that this approach cannot produce positive results. There are no winners in this process, and there are better methods – there must be better ways – for cricket to advance constructively and efficiently.
“I have never desired to act in opposition to genuine endeavors to clean up the game of cricket. I sincerely hope that people can comprehend why, on a personal level. And I could not simply accept or repent for something I did not commit.”
Vaughan wrote that the allegations and subsequent disciplinary procedure had been challenging to deal with. “At times, the process has brought me close to losing my passion for cricket,” he wrote.
“I will not discuss the toll it has taken on me and my family. But I do not doubt that it has been extremely distressing for everyone else involved. I hope that an inclusive healing process can now commence for them and cricket.”
Gary Ballance, one of the six other individuals charged by the ECB as a result of Azeem Rafiq’s original testimony, admitted to five charges before the hearings began, while the others withdrew their cooperation, leaving Vaughan as the only individual to participate in and testify at the hearing.
“The outcome of these CDC proceedings must not detract from the fundamental message that racism has no place in the game of cricket or society as a whole,” Vaughan wrote. The dismissal of the specific charge that concerned me has no bearing on Azeem’s personal experiences.
According to the organization’s regulations, the ECB was required to establish its cases to a civil standard, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt, by demonstrating that the accused were guilty on the balance of probabilities.
“Today, the CDC upheld charges against seven of the eight defendants, including extensive use of the ‘P’ word,” tweeted Rafiq. I and others were victims of racial harassment and bullying in Yorkshire, according to other reports, committees, and inquiries.
“The issue has never been about specific players, but rather the sport as a whole. Cricket must comprehend the scope of its issues and resolve them. Hopefully, the game’s structures can now be rebuilt and institutionalized prejudice can be eradicated for good. It is time for reflection, learning, and change implementation.”
