Alex Hales denies any racial connotations in naming his canine ‘Kevin’

Rafiq has alleged it used to be an “open secret” that the title “Kevin” used to be used to explain other people of color

Rafiq informed a parliamentary listening to into the Yorkshire County Cricket Membership racism scandal on Tuesday that he believed Hales, the previous England batter, had named his canine ‘Kevin’ as it used to be black.

In a remark launched on Wednesday, Hales mentioned: “Having heard the allegations made in opposition to me, I categorically and completely deny there used to be any racial connotation within the naming of my canine.

“I completely appreciate and feature massive sympathy for each the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what he has needed to undergo. His proof used to be harrowing.

“There’s no position for racism or discrimination of any type in cricket and I can gladly cooperate with any investigation the sport’s government make a choice to carry. Neither I nor my representatives shall be making any more remark at the subject.”

Hales’ county membership, Nottinghamshire, mentioned it had “commenced the suitable interior procedure” following Rafiq’s claims.

“Following on from the testimony equipped to the DCMS Make a selection Committee referring to Alex Hales, we have now commenced the suitable interior procedure and can proceed to liaise with Alex and his advisers accordingly,” a membership remark mentioned.

The membership additionally inspired “any person who needs to percentage issues or talk about their stories to return ahead and talk freely” both at once or throughout the Impartial Fee for Fairness in Cricket (ICEC).

“Nottinghamshire County Cricket Membership stays completely dedicated to creating cricket in our county, at each and every degree, welcoming and obtainable for all,” the remark mentioned. “We now have all the time attempted to create sure and gratifying cricketing stories for other people from a large spectrum of backgrounds, and we can proceed to take action.

“We recognize that, given the stories not too long ago being shared throughout the wider recreation, folks won’t have felt relaxed in voicing their issues prior to now.

“We might inspire any person who needs to percentage issues or talk about their stories to return ahead and talk freely… it’s important that folks accomplish that, to ensure that the sport of cricket to be told and transfer ahead in combination.”

Throughout the listening to, prior to the Virtual, Tradition, Media and Game (DCMS) Make a selection Committee, Rafiq used to be requested via Julian Knight MP, the committee chair, about references to the phrase “Kevin” in Yorkshire’s arguable record into Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism on the membership.

Rafiq answered that it used to be a derogatory phrase utilized by Ballance to explain non-white team-mates. “It used to be an open secret within the England dressing room,” he mentioned. “Any individual who got here throughout Gary would know that used to be a word he would use to explain other people of color.”

Rafiq then alleged that Hales had picked up at the phrase and named his canine ‘Kevin’ as it used to be black. “It is disgusting how a lot of a shaggy dog story it used to be,” Rafiq added.