Former England cricketer Gary Ballance says he “deeply regrets” using racial slurs against teammate

In a statement on Wednesday, Gary Ballance admitted to using racist and offensive language towards teammate and former England Under-19s captain Azeem Rafiq. Ballance said he “deeply regretted” his actions, adding that the context of the conversation was in a “friendly verbal attack between friends which was not intended to offend or hurt”.

Former England international Gary Ballance says he “regrets” using racist language towards his ex-Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq in a statement.

Ex-England cricketer Gary Ballance has admitted levelling a racial slur at his Yorkshire County Cricket Club teammate Azeem Rafiq, but claimed that the pair often made offensive comments to each other in jest.

What people are saying?

Aizaz I just fail to understand that in this 21st century people’s mentality is so fixed in the 15th that they simply cannot contemplate moving beyond racism/bigotry. I’m so completely bewildered and upset.

Naumaan Khan I get what you’re saying, but the word paki is a racial slur, just like the n word which is offensive to black people. If you want to use the term paki as ‘banter’ between friends, then go ahead, but don’t be upset at the consequences of it offending people.