Following the publication of the verdicts, Vaughan launched an announcement saying the dismissal of his case “takes nothing away from Azeem’s personal lived expertise”. He went on to state he could be prepared “to assist result in constructive change in any method”.
On Saturday, the Telegraph, the place Vaughan is a columnist, reported he could be open to assembly Rafiq once more. The pair had initially completed so 18 months in the past, earlier than expenses had been introduced by the ECB. On Monday, Rafiq stated he was prepared to do the identical.
“The one factor I’ve all the time tried to do is attempt to get in a room and have conversations as a result of we’re solely going to get issues higher if people begin to have conversations with one another and get one another’s perspective,” Rafiq informed the Press Affiliation. “And from that viewpoint, I might all the time be open to that.
Rafiq additionally referenced the Impartial Committee for Fairness in Cricket report, which is predicted to be revealed quickly.
“I really feel the sport has a chance by the CDC findings. but additionally by the ICEC report. The sport’s obtained a quite simple alternative. It is both going to confront its failings and actually make a dedication and drive forwards collectively or it should reside within the stage of denial that it has continued to for an extended time frame and we will find yourself with one other Azeem Rafiq in 20 years’ time or in all probability not even that lengthy.”
“I am not in any place to be making these choices. [But] If there is a willingness [to meet] – completely.”
Rafiq additionally revealed he has been topic to a rise in abuse for the reason that CDC’s findings had been launched. “The extent of abuse since Friday has felt just like the two-and-a-half years of all of it put collectively in three days,” he stated. “I’ve repeatedly been referred to as the P-word, I’ve had just a few tweets the place I have been referred to as ‘Rafa the Okay*****’.” Each phrases featured prominently within the hearings.
“I reported one to Twitter and I obtained an e mail this morning saying it does not violate the principles. We’re having the identical conversations many times and it is simply actually unhappy.”
Rafiq plans to step again and take inventory after a harrowing few years since he went public together with his experiences in 2020. He stated he hoped his instance is not going to discourage different whistle-blowers from coming ahead sooner or later.
“It has been powerful. The within of me is damaged to absolutely the core. The extent of belief that is been damaged inside me – I do not know whether or not that can ever heal.
“The following little bit of what I do goes to determine whether or not folks will come ahead and that is why I am very decided to ensure that what occurs to me shifting ahead is constructive. By way of the abuse and the assaults, fairly clearly it has been a message to everybody else, ‘do not come ahead’.
“However my message to everybody else will likely be: ‘Rise up for what you consider in. Do not be a bystander. Rise up for what you consider in and you will have far more assist than I did’.”
