Former Yorkshire player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has supported Azeem Rafiq 's allegation that former England captain Michael Vaughan made a racially insensitive remark to a group of Asian players in 2009.
Writing in his column for The Telegraph on Thursday, Vaughan revealed that he had been implicated in the report into Rafiq's allegations of racism at the club.
It was alleged that he told Rafiq and other Asian players that there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" - a claim Vaughan has categorically denied.
Naved, who was an overseas player at Yorkshire at the time and among the players Rafiq has said were there when the alleged comment was made, first told ESPNCricinfo that he had had heard Vaughan make that statement.
Now, speaking to the Daily Mail, Naved has said he is "shocked" at Vaughan's denial of the allegations.
"Yes, yes, it’s true but he [Vaughan] has denied it," he said. "I’m very shocked about that, it’s true what Rafiq has alleged.
"He [Vaughan] was there, I was there and he used those words and he’s denied it. He definitely said it, I’m sure.
"I was really shocked—- why is he denying these things? He was a senior player who played for England as well and he’s a very responsible man, but he’s denying it.
"Rafiq is right. That’s why I’m backing him, he’s right. I’m not thinking, 'Oh I’m Asian, Rafiq’s also Asian so I’ll back him'. No — I’m telling you the truth."
Vaughan has since been temporarily stood down from his BBC radio show and will not present the upcoming episode of the Tuffers and Vaughan Show on Monday.
On Friday, Vaughan told the PA News Agency: "I’ve done my piece last night and I stand by what I say.
"I’ve never said anything racist in my life. I have nothing to hide. The 'you lot' comment never happened."
Writing in the Telegraph, Vaughan insisted: "I completely and categorically deny that I ever said those words."
