Public hearing into allegations of racism at Yorkshire Cricket begins
It comes two years after former player Azeem Rafiq first made allegations of racism against the club
A public hearing examining allegations of racism by former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq will begin in London later.
The 32-year-old first spoke about his experience of racial harassment and bullying across two spells with the county in 2020.
Seven individuals have been charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board, although only former England captain Michael Vaughan is set to appear.
Vaughan categorically denies the allegation, but two other individuals - current Yorkshire and England player Adil Rashid and former Pakistan player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan - have corroborated Rafiq's version of events.
The hearing is being carried out by an independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC).
Former Yorkshire player Gary Ballance has admitted a charge of using racially discriminatory language and will not appear, while five others with previous connections to the county - Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Gale and Rich Pyrah - will have charges heard against them in their absence after they withdrew from the process.
Yorkshire will not participate in the CDC hearing after the county admitted four amended charges laid against them by the ECB.
The hearing is slated to last until March 9, however it is expected only the first three days and Tuesday, March 7 will be 'public' in the sense that journalists can report on what is said in the hearing, with the other days set aside for closing statements and private deliberation by the CDC panel.