Vaughan says sorry to Rafiq but denies racism

Former England captain Michael Vaughan denied making a racist remark when he was skipper of Yorkshire but told the BBC on Saturday he apologises to his accuser ex-team-mate Azeem Rafiq if he was "responsible for any of his hurt".

English cricket has been rocked by revelations of racism from Pakistan-born Rafiq.

He gave harrowing testimony to lawmakers this month in which he said his career had been ended by the racist abuse he received while at leading English county Yorkshire.

These have included an allegation Vaughan told the now 30-year-old Rafiq and other Yorkshire players of Asian origin there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" during a county match in 2009.

Then Yorkshire paceman Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, a former Pakistan international, and current Yorkshire and England leg-spinner Adil Rashid have backed Rafiq's version of events. The fourth player in the group -- bowler Ajmal Shahzad -- has told the Daily Mail he had no recollection of the event and "the senior guys were really good to me".

Vaughan -- who has been dropped by the BBC from their broadcasting team for the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia -- was adamant he never uttered those words saying "No I didnt't. No."

Vaughan -- who played his entire domestic career at Yorkshire from 1993 to 2009 -- was distraught for Rafiq. "It hurts deeply, hurts me that a player has gone through so much be treated so badly at the club that I love," Vaughan said.

"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."