England batter Alex Hales has "categorically and absolutely" denied allegations from erstwhile Yorkshire subordinate Azeem Rafiq that helium gave his canine a racist name.
Rafiq's tearful testimony to a parliamentary committee earlier this week included the assertion that erstwhile team-mate Gary Ballance utilized the sanction 'Kevin' arsenic a "derogatory" word erstwhile referring to players of colour, a sanction Rafiq says was an "an unfastened concealed successful the England dressing room."
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Rafiq alleged that Hales, who past represented England successful 2019, named his canine Kevin based connected the information it was black.
"Having heard the allegations made against me, I categorically and perfectly contradict determination was immoderate radical connotation successful the naming of my dog," Hales said successful a statement.
"I wholly respect and person immense sympathy for some the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what helium has had to endure. His grounds was harrowing.
"There is nary spot for racism oregon favoritism of immoderate benignant successful cricket and I volition gladly co-operate with immoderate probe the game's authorities take to hold."
Hales' Instagram contains a fig of images of the 32-year-old with a achromatic Doberman referred to arsenic Kevin.
Hales' county, Nottinghamshire, has begun an "internal process" to analyse the claims.
"Following connected from the grounds provided to the DCMS prime committee regarding Alex Hales, we person commenced the due interior process and volition proceed to liaise with Alex and his advisers accordingly," the nine said successful a statement.
Meanwhile, the London Telegraph reports that Yorkshire manager Andrew Gale volition beryllium sacked aft Rafiq's explosive testimony.
The county's manager of cricket, erstwhile England batter Martyn Moxon, who is presently connected accent leave, is besides not expected to return.
"Throughout my clip astatine YCCC, Andrew called maine 'Raffa the Kaffir', 'P---' and truthful on," Rafiq said.
"But it was the discriminatory attraction and bullying I felt from him that was harder for maine than the sanction calling."
The club's chief executive and chairman person already resigned, portion Yorkshire were suspended from hosting planetary matches arsenic punishment for their handling of the racism lawsuit that has shaken the sport.
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