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Matthew Hoggard sent a statement to authorities stating that the racist term “P —” was “widely used” by Yorkshire players.
The ex-British sailor was among those accused by the governing body of discrediting the game after a harassment allegations file was filed by Azeem Rafiq.
Ahead of the trial heard by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Cricket Disciplinary Commission in March, he prepared a witness statement contesting the charge. According to The Cricketer, the statement says he doesn’t particularly remember the term “P —“, which is among a series of derogatory terms that Rafiq claims has been used repeatedly throughout his gaming career.
However, Hoggard, who was not available for immediate comment, is said to have admitted to using the phrase “Kafir Rafa” when addressing Rafiq. The context is said to claim it’s not racist, but the statement points out that the ‘P word’ is commonly used in the locker room.
“[Hoggard] acknowledges being part of group chats and the like. [the term ‘P—‘] and contributed to the spread of such conversations.
“The word was used widely across the team as some ethnic minority players referred to them as such, so it was used with what appears to be tacit consent and without any racial/discriminatory purpose of harassment or harm.”
He adds: “At times, the word [‘P—‘] Used in the dressing room. Looking back, I totally understand that it wasn’t a good thing to do, and I acknowledge and accept that if I had actually used that word, I shouldn’t have used it, so I accept that I broke the applicable rule.”
Shahzad: You don’t remember Vaughan’s ‘you’ comment
In a separate statement to be heard by the commission, Ajmal Shahzad is said to have denied Rafiq’s claim that Michael Vaughan had made the “you” comment in 2009.
Vaughan vehemently refutes Rafiq’s previous claim that the former England captain said “many of you need to do something about this” within earshot of Rafiq, Shahzad, Adil Rashid and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.
Shahzad, who says he doesn’t remember hearing the term “you” used in connection with Asian players in Yorkshire, now says the comment may have come from Hoggard, whom he referred to as “bad”. guy”.
“He’s the only person in that locker room who uses expressions that you’d sometimes think of … and yes, whoever you think is getting close to the line, it would be Hoggy,” says Ajmal, according to The Cricketer.
“But… even though he’s a Yorkshire player, he used to play a lot for England and when he got back to the Yorkshire dressing room he couldn’t last long, so he couldn’t last long because bad guys don’t play. You can get rid of it for a while. As soon as your form drops, you leave.
“And this… and I would apply that to Azeem, I would say that to Azeem too.”
Last November, the Cricket Disciplinary Commission granted Rafiq’s request that the hearings be held in public, overturning decades of trials that had been conducted behind closed doors and with written verdicts.
Faced with disciplinary proceedings, the players appear to have filed appeals on different grounds, including disclosure of evidence and public hearing, as the case was mired in legal and logistical problems.
A new committee will be formed to listen to the objections.
Now, a new panel will be formed by the CDC to hear appeals delaying the start of the case, which means the toxic incident will take a few more months.
Rafiq was the lead witness to the charges brought by the ECB against the seven people and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Ash-winning captain Vaughan has been charged with a felony and will appear in person to defend himself.
Others accused of tarnishing the game’s reputation include Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard and former Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale.
After more than 12 months of missteps in a racism scandal that shook cricket, intense scrutiny will follow into the CDC’s handling of the potentially explosive disciplinary hearing.
Gale has already withdrawn publicly, labeling the process a “witch hunt.” Yorkshire will face further setbacks in the coming months and Lord Patel plans to step down as chairman at the next annual general meeting, also expected in March.
The 62-year-old actor, who was parachuted into his role following the club’s racism scandal, announced that he would step down on January 6 after a turbulent 14-month stint.
The former ECB director had threatened to resign in March amid the fierce civil war that was destined to engulf the country’s largest county over Rafiq’s inept handling of abuse complaints.
He has also faced calls for his resignation, especially as his response to the crisis has forced Yorkshire to liquidate all coaching and medical staff, which could cost the area club £2m, and force management changes at Headingley. membership there.
