Yorkshire appeal Twenty20 expulsion

The row over Yorkshire's expulsion from the Twenty20 Cup rumbles on after the county confirmed they would be fighting the decision at an appeal hearing.

The England and Wales Cricket Board's discipline commission decided on Thursday that Yorkshire's use of Azeem Rafiq, a former England Under-15 and Under-16 captain who does not hold a British passport, in a group match against Nottinghamshire was a sufficient breach of the rules to force their ejection from the competition.

Because of his Pakistani passport, Rafiq officially qualifies as an overseas player and as Pakistan star Rana Naved-ul-Hasan had not been deregistered, he was ineligible to play.

When the issue came to the ECB's attention they called for Yorkshire's Monday night quarter-final against Durham to be postponed pending an investigation.

A three-man panel then heard from all interested parties at Old Trafford on Thursday before awarding Nottinghamshire the points for the game in question and awarding them the remaining berth in the last eight.

Yorkshire's appeal will be heard at Taunton on Monday.