Michael Vaughan breaks his silence amid racism allegations: I am sorry for hurt Azeem Rafiq has gone through

Ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan said that he is “sorry” for the pain Azeem Rafiq has experienced amid his former Yorkshire team-mate’s allegations of racism. Vaughan had earlier denied the racism allegations.

Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it” before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation.

“I’m sorry for the hurt (Rafiq’s) gone through,” Vaughan said in an interview with BBC Breakfast on Saturday.

“Time I don’t think can ever be a healer in the situation that he’s gone through.

“But hopefully, time can be a way of us making sure that Yorkshire County Cricket Club never goes through this situation again and never puts themselves in a position of denial that they treated a player so badly.

He added: “It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much and be treated so badly at the club I love.

“I have to take some responsibility for that because I played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club for 18 years and if in any way shape or form, I’m responsible for any of his hurt, I apologise for that.”

Vaughan continued to deny the claim and said he never made racist comments while at Yorkshire.

Asked if he ever made any racist comments during his time at Yorkshire, he said: “No I didn’t. No.”

The 47-year-old, who has been an analyst with the BBC since 2009, was dropped from Ashes coverage by the broadcaster earlier this month after the allegations came to light.