Rafiq forgives Vaughan and says saga is not a ‘big deal’
azeem RaFiq has said he does not hold a grudge against michael Vaughan
after the former england captain was stood down from BBC ashes commentary duties. Vaughan is accused by Rafiq of saying, ‘Too many of you lot, we need to do something about it’, to him and asian team-mates adil Rashid and Rana naved ul-Hasan before a 2009 Twenty20 Cup match. Previously, Rafiq appeared to call for the BBC to take action against Vaughan. However, in a meeting with Holocaust survivor Lily ebert, Rafiq appeared to soften his stance. On the alleged racist comment, which Vaughan categorically denies making, Rafiq said: ‘it will always stick with me, but i don’t hold a grudge. i’ve said all along anyway, accepting an apology was all i was looking for. and even if i don’t get that, it’s not a big deal. i’m nobody to be forgiving someone or deciding what should happen with someone’s future. i just feel like, from my point of view, i owned up to what i did (anti-semitic messages), i regret it. ‘How people want to move forward is completely their choice and it’s up to them.’ Former england spinner monty Panesar voiced support for Vaughan in his Telegraph column yesterday, saying the BBC had made a mistake by dropping him. ‘This feels deeply unethical — a classic case of someone being tried and convicted without any form of due process being undertaken,’ said Panesar. meanwhile, Tom Harrison has described the racism scandal that has engulfed cricket as an ‘earthquake’ but insisted he is the right man to repair the damage. The eCB chief executive, speaking after the publication of the governing body’s 12-point action plan to address equality, inclusion and diversity in the sport, said: ‘The last few weeks have been very tough for cricket. i guess it feels like an earthquake has hit us with our game being portrayed in the worst possible way. ‘But i think sometimes an earthquake can provide the opportunity to accelerate years and years of change in very quick time. Perhaps this is the shock that will bring this game together.’ Sportsmail revealed last week that Harrison plans to leave the eCB next year. But he remains determined to see this plan through. i am so committed to sorting this issue within the game,’ he said. ‘We’ve come out with some urgent, significant action and i want to make sure we provide a more welcoming environment across our sport.’ lWaRWiCKsHiRe have said Tim Bresnan, 36, will face no disciplinary action but will take cultural awareness training after being implicated in the Yorkshire investigation.