'I deny any racial connotation in the naming of my dog' - Alex Hales responds to Azeem Rafiq's racism allegations

Azeem Rafiq had accused England cricketer Alex Hales of racially abusing him during his stint with Yorkshire. Rafiq complained that Hales had given the name ‘Kevin’ to his black dog, and alleged that it was a name that Gary Balance used to call ‘people of colour’.

And now, Hales has opened up on this matter. The England batter said that he denies the allegations made against him and added that there is absolutely no racial connotation in naming his dog Kevin. Hales further said that he sympathizes with Azeem Rafiq for all that he has undergone and added that Rafiq’s experience is a harrowing one.

“Having heard the allegations made against me, I categorically and absolutely deny there was any racial connotation in the naming of my dog. I entirely respect and have huge sympathy for both the stance Azeem Rafiq has taken and what he has had to endure. His evidence was harrowing,” said Hales in his statement.

I will gladly co-operate with any investigation that the authorities choose to hold: Alex Hales

Alex Hales also said that there is no place for racism in the sport of cricket and added that he will co-operate with the investigations that the authorities hold. “There is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in cricket and I will gladly co-operate with any investigation the game’s authorities choose to hold,” said Hales.

Azeem Rafiq said that the word ‘Kevin’ was used by Gary Balance to describe any cricketer of colour. Adding that it was an open secret in the dressing room, Rafiq also revealed that Hales and Ballance were very close mates. Rafiq concluded by stating that Hales named his dog Kevin as it was black in colour.

“Kevin was something that Gary used to describe everyone of colour. And that was an open secret within the England dressing room. It was used in a derogatory manner.

Gary and Alex Hales got really close when they played for England together, that’s my understanding. Alex went on to name his dog Kevin because he was black. It’s disgusting how much of a joke it was,” alleged Rafiq.