Yorkshire, Azeem Rafiq and racism

[Durhamfootman]

Pyrah has pulled out too

only MPV left

[Arthur Crabtree]

I suppose it's possible to feel that MPV is still in the game and has something to lose if he doesn't take part. But, it wouldn't be fair to question his motive when he is actually doing the right thing.

If the others are no longer making a living from cricket, then they have nothing to lose by not taking part. Maybe Tim and Hoggard might have picked up some promotion work with the county.

There being a few of them adopting the same position makes it easier to refuse.

[bigfluffylemon]

Makes the whole thing look pretty bad, IMO.

If Hoggard, Bresnan etc. are arguing that they're not getting a 'fair' hearing, why not turn up and say what you've got to say on the public record. This just looks like they've got something to hide, whatever the merits of the process.

[sussexpob]

Reading the BBC live feed, it would seem Vaughan has paid top dollar for his lawyer...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hard to believe that Rafiq's nickname at Yorks was the SA word to insult a black person. Not just because it is abusive, but also it's something I might expect to hear from ignorant children.

Feels odd BBC is covering in such detail.

[sussexpob]

I'd go as far to say that reading Vaughan's lawyer bang on with his questions, it does feel like even in a legal case about inherent racism, the line of questioning feels very much part of that culture. Trying to represent a player not having a problem with years of abuse, or not reacting angrily, meaning he was ok with it.... of course, if you were treated as an outsider because of who you are, you are very unlikely to speak out for fear of being punished. I find it extremely worrying that whoever is over-seeing this trial has allowed Vaughan's lawyer to continually misrepresent how this issues pan out in reality uncontested. Reading the live feed, I get the feeling its Rafiq in the dock, and not Vaughan and the others.

And to be fair, I dont really care what Rafiq thought. Players patrolling the dressing room calling Asian people "k.....rs" is objectively wrong, and demonstrates the exact toxic culture that has been suggested.

[sussexpob]

Main question for me today is what Vaughan's testimony will be like.... Will he mount a defence, or use the platform to plug Declaration Gin?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Vaughan's line seems to be that he can't remember anything, but he didn't do what they say.

[sussexpob]

I personally like the fact he claimed the comment alleged was against his morals and values, just after he apologised for previous comments on Twitter that were racist

Also love the fact he is now banging on about bringing the love.... there is no one on Social Media more divisive, and few in the commentary box so overwhelmingly negative and scathing.

The truth is, I will never know if he said this..... but the way he talks to Indians on Twitter leaves me in no doubt what type of person he is

[sussexpob]

All the defendants with the exception of Michael Vaughan have been found guilty..... The most high profile of the lot gets off ? Sounds about right.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not sure how meaningful the verdicts are. It's not a court. But I'm giving some credit to Vaughan. At least he turned up and answered the questions. Arguably he would lose his career in the game if he didn't, but I guess he is rich enough to make that choice.

Seems the panel decided those who were absent, were absent because their evidence would incriminate them. So was an admission of guilt.

[Durhamfootman]

As far as I can tell, everyone got away with the 'you lot' charges. Nobody seems to have got away with the one involving (what I presume was) the P word

Doubtless we'll see MPV back on our screens soon. I agree with Arthur..... at least he turned up and defended himself. Not proved is not the same as not guilty, but I imagine he will feel vindicated by the result

[westoelad]

Not sure how meaningful the verdicts are. ]It's not a court. But I'm giving some credit to Vaughan. At least he turned up and answered the questions. Arguably he would lose his career in the game if he didn't, but I guess he is rich enough to make that choice.

Seems the panel decided those who were absent, were absent because their evidence would incriminate them. So was an admission of guilt.

The guilty ones are no longer involved in cricket and have already stated that the CDC was flawed. They wont accept its findings and therefore won't accept whatever sanctions are imposed. Nothing CDC nor ECB can do about it and should have realised that at the outset. Complete farce.

[mikesiva]

More here:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cdc- ... ed-1365868

There's clearly a culture of racism that needs to be corrected.

Racism is not banter.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale, John Blain and Richard Pyrah found guilty on various charges, with Ballance volunteering guilt.

Penalties are in this article, mostly suspensions of people already retired and small fines. Presumably they can't be enforced unless the players try to return to the game or ECB events.

Bresnan and Blain have said they will appeal, but haven't yet.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... acism-case