Azeem Rafiq on Tuesday (November 16) in the parliamentary snatch out committee listening to published how worn England batter Gary Ballance extinct the term ‘Kevin’ in a derogatory formulation. MPs heard from worn cricketer Azeem Rafiq in the DCMS listening to, about his requires disciplinary action to be taken by Yorkshire County Cricket Club following its investigation which stumbled on he had been subjected to racial harassment and bullying.
Rafiq spoke in part about one-time Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance. Significantly, Ballance admitted utilizing a ‘racial slur’ towards Rafiq in a prolonged assertion issued earlier this month, apologising but declaring it as fragment of a long and deep friendship.
Nonetheless Rafiq instructed the committee that develop into once no longer an staunch depiction of their relationship. Requested by chair Julian Knight concerning the term ‘Kevin’, he acknowledged it develop into once an offensive, racist term. “Kevin develop into once a something Gary extinct to picture any individual of color in a extremely derogatory formulation. It develop into once an delivery secret in the England dressing room,” he acknowledged. “Somebody who came all the plan in which via Gary would know that develop into once a phrase he would employ to picture folks of color.”
Rafiq also alleged worn England batter Alex Hales develop into once gripping. He acknowledged: “Gary and Alex Hales got really shut to each diversified after they played for England together. I wasn’t veil in that dressing room, but what I understand (is) that Alex went on to title his dog ‘Kevin’ as a result of it develop into once dusky. It’s disgusting how unprecedented of a shaggy dog memoir it develop into once.”
Rafiq also instructed MPs that Matthew Hoggard had apologised to him for feedback made all the plan in which via their time at Yorkshire, and added he develop into once among ‘six or seven’ players to bask in made a bullying complaint about Tim Bresnan’s alleged behaviour.
Key statements by Azeem Rafiq:
On Racial slur: From early on there develop into once fairly loads of ‘You lot sit over there plan the toilets’. The word ‘Paki’ develop into once extinct always, no person ever stamped it out. All I wanted to manufacture develop into once play cricket.
On racism from teammates: I felt isolated. (Yorkshire batsman Gary) Ballance came to visit and acknowledged: ‘Why are you talking to him, he’s no longer a Sheikh, he hasn’t got oil’. Going previous a corner shop, I develop into once requested if my uncle owned it.
On being compelled to drink alcohol extinct 15: My first incident of drinking, I develop into once 15, I got pinned down at my native cricket club and had purple wine poured down my throat. The participant played for Yorkshire and Hampshire.
On the utilization of ‘Steve’ and ‘kevin’ for Asian initiating players: All and sundry known as India’s Cheteshwar Pujara, ‘Steve’, high-profile players around the arena, and it presentations the institutional failings. ‘Kevin’ develop into once something Gary extinct for parents of color in a derogatory formulation.
On raising complaints: All I wanted develop into once acceptance, an apology, belief… When I raised the complaints again, it develop into once a total denial. I develop into once lucky to be supported by certain contributors of the click but I felt like social media develop into once my utter.
On England Test captain Joe Root: Rooty’s a proper man. He has by no plan engaged in racist language. I stumbled on it hurtful as a result of Rooty develop into once Gary Steadiness’s housemate. Per chance he didn’t bask in in solutions it (nights out when racist language develop into once extinct), but it honest presentations the institution that a proper man like him can no longer bask in in solutions these items.
(with agency inputs)
