The panel found the charge against Vaughan was unproven, after the case against him and five other former yorkshire players was heard in London this month.
Yorkshire and a number of individuals were charged by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year after an investigation into racism allegations brought by Rafiq, who said in 2021 that he had been the victim of institutional racism within the club.
Rafiq, a Pakistani-born player who has said England cricket is institutionally racist, claimed Vaughan told him and other Asian-born players that there were “too many ‘between you, we have to do something about it’ before a game in 2009. Vaughan strongly denied the allegation.
The CDC said its panel “is not satisfied on a balance of probabilities” that Vaughan said the words “at the specific time and circumstances alleged.”
The panel added that its findings “in no way undermine the broader assertions” made by Rafiq.
Vaughan, who played for Yorkshire between 1993 and 2009, was one of seven people charged by the ECB with using racist or discriminatory language. He was the only defendant who participated in the CDC hearing.
“DIFFICULT AND ENGAGING”
“It has been both difficult and heartbreaking to hear about the painful experiences Azeem has described over the past three years,” Vaughan said in a social media statement before the ruling was released.
“The dismissal of the specific charge against me takes nothing away from Azeem’s own experiences…I never intended to do anything that would run counter to sincere efforts to clean up the game of cricket .
“I really hope people can understand why, on a personal level, I couldn’t just accept or apologize for something that I know I didn’t do…Sometimes this process has left me brought to the brink loves cricket.”
The panel upheld certain charges against former Yorkshire players Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah, all of whom withdrew from the proceedings.
They were found responsible for a breach of an ECB directive relating to “conduct that is inappropriate or likely to harm the interests of cricket or likely to bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer into disrepute”.
“Given the nature of these cases, they have had a clear impact on everyone involved,” ECB President Richard Thompson said.
“There must now be a moment of reconciliation where, as a game, we can collectively learn and heal the wounds and ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.”
Rafiq told Sky Sports he did not agree with the conclusion regarding Vaughan, but felt justified that all but one of the charges had been confirmed.
“I don’t want to get attached to one individual. I think it’s a bigger issue,” he said.
“It’s been difficult for everyone involved, but if there is going to be anything good, people really need to take stock, reflect, learn and the game needs to improve.”
Thompson said the independent panel will determine what penalties are appropriate where charges have been admitted or confirmed.
Yorkshire and former player Gary Ballance were not required to attend the hearing after accepting their charges. The racism scandal rocked English cricket and led to many changes in the club’s coaching and administrative staff.
Yorkshire has admitted that documents and data relating to allegations of racism were deleted or lost under the tenure of a previous regime.
