Former England bowler Matthew Hoggard says the disciplinary course of referring to the Azeem Rafiq racism investigation “has failed all people” after withdrawing his co-operation.

Hoggard, Tim Bresnan and John Blain have joined Andrew Gale in pulling out of the Cricket Self-discipline Fee listening to, which is because of be held in public initially of March.

Former Yorkshire bowlers Hoggard, Bresnan and Blain and ex-Tykes captain and coach Gale had been amongst seven people charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board final June in a case inspecting allegations of racism and bullying made by Rafiq throughout his time at Headingley.

Hoggard, Bresnan and Blain consider they won’t get a good trial at a public listening to and their withdrawals imply solely Gary Ballance, Michael Vaughan and Richard Pyrah are nonetheless co-operating.

Talking to the BBC, Hoggard mentioned: “The method has failed all people. Each celebration concerned has an issue with the way in which this course of has been handled.

“Azeem has an issue with it, all of the respondents have, [former Yorkshire chairman] Lord Patel has, Yorkshire have. There has obtained to be a greater means.

“I am pulling out as a result of I do not suppose it is a honest course of. There aren’t any winners on this. It’s not an request for forgiveness. The individuals who know the reality, know the reality. That’s all that issues to me.”

Talking to The Occasions, Bresnan mentioned: “I’m prepared to launch every thing as a result of I am out of the method. However they simply charged me. How is that potential with out even chatting with me? It is like being charged and tried with out even being arrested. That is the way it feels.

“He is [Rafiq] saying I did use that language [the P-word], together with others, however gave no instance. There aren’t any witnesses. I vehemently deny that. I grew up in a spot the place that is not proper.

“Two and a half years of continuous articles, leaks, tweets, totally different stuff popping out with none proper of reply. I could not assure to witnesses that statements they needed to make in non-public wouldn’t seem within the public area.

“We have been ordered to maintain quiet up till this level now as a result of it might need affected the case. It simply hasn’t felt proper, the entire thing.”

Blain mentioned: “The choice to withdraw was fairly a simple one in the long run, given the method we now have gone by means of. However it barely hurts me, as a result of I do know my position on this and what I used to be on the membership on the time.

Gale introduced final 12 months he was not prepared to have interaction with the method, which he described as “tainted”.

The ECB issued a press release on Friday which mentioned: “People are entitled to decide on to not take part within the hearings if they need, however the circumstances will nonetheless be heard of their absence and we’re glad that the disciplinary course of on this matter has been each rigorous and honest.

“The ECB’s investigation and disciplinary course of has been overseen by an impartial committee and specialist main King’s Counsel (Okay.C.).

“As with every case earlier than the Cricket Self-discipline Fee, defendants are entitled to a good listening to by an impartial and skilled CDC Panel the place they will name witnesses, and so they may problem the proof in assist of the cost, together with by means of cross-examination of the ECB’s witnesses. It’s solely the choice of defendants in the event that they select to not make the most of this chance.

“On the finish of the listening to it’s for the impartial CDC Panel, not the ECB, to find out guilt or in any other case and any sanction.”

Rafiq mentioned the withdrawals of Hoggard, Bresnan and Blain had been “regrettable”.

He mentioned: “Over the previous two years, I’ve been vindicated repeatedly.

“This has included a authorized investigation that confirmed I used to be a sufferer of racial harassment and bullying; a Yorkshire-commissioned panel that concluded I suffered discrimination; quite a few apologies, each private and non-private, from individuals who witnessed or had been concerned on this behaviour; and others have come ahead to substantiate the tradition within the wider sport.”

“It’s regrettable that these defendants will not be prepared to go to a public listening to and face what occurred.”

The listening to had initially been scheduled for November final 12 months however was pushed again on account of a dispute over whether or not it ought to be held in public, which Rafiq had argued was necessary for “transparency and closure”.

Former England captain Vaughan has written within the Each day Telegraph he’s pleased to make his defence in public however a few of those that have been known as to seem have raised objections and proceedings have been placed on ice whereas their appeals are thought of.

Rafiq has beforehand indicated he might rethink his personal participation within the course of if there was no public factor.

Former Yorkshire chair Roger Hutton has additionally made it clear he is not going to take part underneath any circumstances on account of a scarcity of religion within the process.

Rafiq’s explosive testimony rocked the game in November 2021 when he gave an emotional look in entrance of the Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport choose committee.

Throughout Rafiq’s most up-to-date look in entrance of the committee, in December final 12 months, he mentioned he had not acquired any assist from the ECB since first giving proof and had been compelled to depart the UK due to the abuse he has acquired.