Rafiq might derail ECB probe in the event that they reject his request to carry disciplinary hearings in public
EXCLUSIVE: Azeem Rafiq might derail ECB probe in the event that they reject his request to carry disciplinary hearings with gamers – together with ex-England captain Michael Vaughan and Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard – in public as they face racism allegations
- Seven ex-Yorkshire gamers are going through disciplinary hearings on racism fees
- Azeem Rafiq has written to the ECB to name for these hearings to be held in public
- Sportsmail understands that the ECB are anticipated to say no Rafiq’s request
Azeem Rafiq has threatened to not seem earlier than the ECB’s listening to into accusations of racism at Yorkshire subsequent month until it takes place in public, in a outstanding transfer that has put the disciplinary course of getting ready to collapse.
Sportsmail has discovered that in an software made to the ECB’s Cricket Self-discipline Fee final week, Rafiq formally requested a public listening to and intimated he wouldn’t take part whether it is held in personal, as is the frequent follow.
Rafiq is the important thing witness in one of many highest-profile disciplinary circumstances in cricket historical past that has seen misconduct fees introduced in opposition to seven former Yorkshire gamers following allegations that they used racist or bullying language in direction of him throughout his time at Headingley.
Azeem Rafiq desires the ECB to carry disciplinary hearings into ex-Yorkshire gamers in public
Michael Vaughan (left) and Matthew Hoggard (proper) are amongst seven gamers going through allegations that they used racist language in direction of Rafiq whereas taking part in for Yorkshire
ECB investigators have spent virtually 10 months and a whole lot of hundreds of kilos on the method, however it’s unclear whether or not they would have the ability to proceed with out Rafiq’s involvement.
The choice on whether or not to make the listening to public rests with the CDC, who function independently from the ECB, and to take action could be extremely uncommon.
As prosecutors, the ECB are more likely to push for a closed listening to regardless of Rafiq’s ultimatum, as a result of a lot of the proof has been gathered on the supply that it’ll happen in personal.
The ECB and Rafiq declined to remark.
Yorkshire are understood to be planning to plead responsible to fees levelled in opposition to them
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