CDC hearings in Yorkshire saga likely to be held in public

GEORGE DOBELL - EXCLUSIVE: Azeem Rafiq, who is the key witness in the case, has long argued that, for full transparency, the Cricket Disciplinary Commission (CDC) hearings should take place in public

The hearings into allegations of racism against several former Yorkshire players look likely to be heard in public after a change of stance from the ECB.

Azeem Rafiq, who is the key witness in the case, has long argued that, for full transparency, the Cricket Disciplinary Commission (CDC) hearings should take place in public.

But while Yorkshire, one of the defendants in the case, have supported that view, the six other witnesses - five former Yorkshire players and one current member of the squad - have resisted.

Now, at a directions hearing in east London, the ECB have agreed that the exceptional circumstances of the case justify that request. While the final decision remains with the CDC and could take up to two weeks to be confirmed, it does seem increasingly likely that Azeem's request will be granted. 

^{The CDC's hearings are set to take place in around six weeks [Getty Images]}

Several media organisations have also made representations to the CDC arguing that, such is the enormity of public interest in the case, the hearings should be public. 

The ECB, which in this case is the regulator and the prosecutor, had previously argued that witnesses who gave evidence in expectation that the hearings would be private would resist attempts to hold them in public. It is understood, however, that all but one of them has agreed to the change. 

Whatever happens, the CDC has committed to providing substantial written judgements for their verdicts, which will be public.

While the Commission is limited in terms of the sanctions it can hand out - they cannot, for example, strip Yorkshire of the right to host international cricket - it is anticipated that the stigma of any upheld charge could have significant ramifications on the careers of those involved.

Azeem attended Monday's hearing flanked by security personnel. He and his family have received numerous threats in recent days. They will all be provided with extra security until they leave the country in the coming weeks. 

The full hearing will take place in around six weeks. 

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