The ECB have offered Azeem Rafiq time with their legal team ahead of public Yorkshire racism hearing

The ECB has offered Azeem Rafiq three days with his legal team to prepare him for Yorkshire’s racism hearing next month, in a move that will raise questions about the governing body’s role in the proceedings.

Rafiq is the main source and, in many cases, the only witness in the allegations that have led to the ECB charging seven former Yorkshire players with bringing the game into disrepute by using racist language against it.

The hearing is finally scheduled to take place between March 1 and 9 after it was postponed twice last year, with former England players Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard and Tim Bresnan among those defending themselves against the allegations. of racism.

The ECB has offered Azeem Rafiq three days with his legal team to prepare for a hearing

ECB accuses seven former Yorkshire players of using racist language against Rafiq

Rafiq had threatened not to participate in the proceedings unless it was public, but relented and agreed to attend after the ECB’s independent panel took the unusual step of sanctioning a public hearing.

England player Adil Rashid has supported Rafiq’s racism allegations against Vaughan, but his participation in the hearing is in doubt as he has told the ECB he will not return to the country until June.

The 34-year-old is currently in South Africa for England’s international one-day series and will be in Bangladesh in March for two cue ball series, before playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL the following month.

Several of the players involved are not happy with the public hearing and may withdraw, particularly those no longer involved in cricket such as Hoggard.

The ECB declined to comment.

Matthew Hoggard, who is no longer involved in the sport, may withdraw from the process

Adil Rashid may be absent from the March hearing because he is abroad playing for England