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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Azeem Rafiq says Gary Ballance has not apologised as Yorkshire back under-fire batter

Azeem Rafiq has revealed that Gary Ballance has not apologised to him for using a racial slur during their time as teammates at Yorkshire.

Ballance has admitted to calling Rafiq a "p***", releasing a lengthy statement in November where he said he 'deeply regrets some of the language I used in my younger years'.

However, he said the use of slur was 'between friends', insisted 'no malice was intended' by it and claimed it was simply 'a situation where best friends said offensive things to each other'.

Despite admitting to using the slur, Ballance will remain at Yorkshire, despite the new regime making a raft of changes in the wake of the scandal which included the axing of their entire coaching staff.

Darren Gough, Yorkshire's interim managing director of cricket, has confirmed that Ballance will be staying and become part of "an inclusive and welcoming environment" at the club.

Rafiq (right) and Ballance (left) were team-mates at Yorkshire (Sarah Ansell/Getty Images)

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Gough said: "It was a difficult situation with Gary. He was disciplined by the club, he admitted the use of racist language and apologised for it.

"It’s crucial all forms of discrimination are eradicated from our game and society and we talked to Gary about his actions and behaviour. He understands and he’s educating himself.

"He’s going to be part now of an inclusive and welcoming environment that we’re building at Yorkshire and that’s obvious already in our recruitment on the coaching side."

Speaking in November, Rafiq said that Ballance should be allowed to continue playing for Yorkshire if he "apologises properly and has some sort of acceptance and accountability".

Now, responding to Gough's comments on Twitter, Rafiq revealed he is yet to receive a "proper apology" from Ballance.

"100% the right way is 'anyone who apologises deserves a second chance'," Rafiq wrote. "Let’s be very clear to this day I haven’t had any proper apology from most people including Gary".

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