Michael Vaughan’s lawyers accuse the ECB of conducting a “wretchedly inadequate investigation” into allegations that the former England captain used racist language towards Azeem Rafiq.
- Michael Vaughan is accused of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq
- His lawyers believe that the investigation into the accusation has been unfair.
- They feel it is ‘inherently unlikely’ that Vaughan made the alleged comment.
Michael Vaughan’s lawyers have accused the ECB of mounting a biased investigation against him that was unfair and inadequate.
In an 81-page statement summarizing Vaughan’s defense on the final day of Yorkshire’s racism hearing in London, Christopher Stoner KC said his client did not use racist language towards Azeem Rafiq.
And he took aim at the ECB investigation team, which admitted last week that they did not speak to key witnesses, including players, referees and a Sky Sports cameraman present at the meeting when England’s Ashes-winning captain allegedly used the words ‘you ‘ to four Asians. Yorkshire players before a T20 match with Nottinghamshire in 2009.
Stoner claimed that “due process had gone on vacation”, and the ECB showed no interest in conducting a proper investigation.
“There was no investigation and we are concerned about the bias shown by the ECB in witness statements,” Stoner said. “In addition, there is not enough confidence in the process as a whole, given the woefully inadequate investigation by the ECB.”
Michael Vaughan’s lawyers believe the investigation into whether he used racist language towards Azeem Rafiq has been unfair and inadequate.
Rafiq has accused Vaughan of making a racist comment towards four Asian players in 2009
Stoner said it was “inherently unlikely” that Vaughan would make the comment given inconsistencies in the evidence and the fact that the incident was not discussed until 11 years later.
He ended a week of testimony emphasizing the importance of the verdict for Vaughan, saying that “the shape of his life and livelihood is at stake.” In a final 13-page submission, ECB lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC argued that it was “inherently likely” that Vaughan made the comments, describing three offensive tweets he posted the following year, for which he has since apologized, as essential. for the case.
In response, Stoner countered that Vaughan has posted 41,000 tweets, with only three identified as offensive.
The verdict in the trial is expected to be delivered by the end of the month.