Rafiq says England captain Root was present when he was called a ‘p***’

Azeem Rafiq reiterated his hurt at Joe Root's assertion that he never witnessed any racist abuse at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Rafiq was giving evidence to the DCMS committee on Tuesday morning in the wake of the racism scandal that has engulfed Yorkshire in recent weeks.

Root has spent his entire domestic career in England with Yorkshire, first playing for the senior side in 2009. When asked if he had recognised any incidents of racism at the club last week, Root replied: "Not that I can recall, no I can't. But it is clear things have happened at the club and we have to make sure we eradicate it."

Pressed on Root's denial at Westminster on Tuesday, Rafiq said: "Rooty is a good man. He has never engaged in racist language. I found it (Root's denial) hurtful because Rooty was not only Gary [Ballance]'s housemate. but Rooty was involved in a lot of socialising nights out where I've been called a p***."

England international Gary Ballance admitted earlier this month that he called Rafiq a 'p***' during the pair's time together at Yorkshire but maintained it was done "in the spirit of friendly banter”.

Rafiq added: "He (Root) might not remember it but it just shows how normal it was in that environment, in that institution, that even a good man like him doesn't see it for what it is.

"It was strange but it's the environment and the institution that made it such a norm that people don't remember it. and it's not going to affect Joe, but it's something I remember every day, but I don't expect Joe to."

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