The nine high profile cricket figures named in Azeem Rafiq's testimony about racism to MPs

Several high-profile cricket figures have been named in the testimony of former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq as he emotionally discussed the racism he was subjected to while playing for the team.

Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) Rafiq broke down several times as he detailed his experiences.

He said he felt "isolated, humiliated at times" due to the persistent racism he says he suffered.

'I was young kid from Pakistan living in Barnsley with a dream to represent England'

Following the conclusion of the hearing, the DCMS committee published Rafiq’s witness statement to a Leeds employment tribunal – a matter that was settled last week with a reported six-figure payment from the club.

The witness statement and Rafiq's testimony made several damning accusations of people in the cricket world being involved in the racism he and other players experienced.

Here are the most notable people named in the testimony:

Gary Ballance - England and Yorkshire batter and former Yorkshire captain

Ballance has admitted using a racial slur to Rafiq but said in his statement two weeks ago the pair were best friends.

Rafiq said their friendship "started to deteriorate in around 2013" after raising allegations about Ballance's conduct.

He said he felt pressured by Ballance to participate in a drinking culture and that he regularly made “belittling or derogatory comments” about Rafiq’s Pakistani heritage.

Rafiq alleged Ballance "failed a recreational drug test" and Yorkshire had protected their ex-captain by "allowing him to miss hair sample tests."

Rafiq also said Ballance would use racial slurs to "describe anyone of colour in a very derogatory manner" and that it was an "open secret" on England duty.

Ballance is currently suspended from England duty by the ECB.

A representative of Ballance denied he had drug issues or ever missed a test.

Alex Hales - England and Nottinghamshire batter

Following on from the allegations around Ballance, Rafiq said Ballance and Hales became friends.

According to Rafiq, although he stated he wasn't present in the dressing room at the time, he "understood" Hales then named his dog 'Kevin' because it was black.

He said: "It’s disgusting how much of a joke it was."

Jack Brooks - Former Yorkshire bowler now with Somerset

Rafiq claimed Brooks started a trend of calling India batter Cheteshwar Pujara 'Steve' rather than use his actual name, even though the overseas player had said he would rather it did not happen.

Brooks has said he will respond on Wednesday.

Michael Vaughan - Former England captain and Yorkshire batter

Vaughan has been at the centre of the allegations into racism since the scandal broke and has issued strong denials.

He has strenuously denied the claim he told Rafiq and three other teammates of Asian background: “(There’s) too many of your lot, we need to do something about it.”

The other teammates, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Adil Rashid, have corroborated Rafiq’s allegation.

Asked about Vaughan, Rafiq said: "He probably doesn’t remember it because it doesn’t mean anything to him."

Rafiq said about the incident in his statement: “I felt so disappointed that I felt sick. And then I felt angry. But I was so determined to play for England that I just tried to let it go. But I never forgot it."

Tim Bresnan - Former Yorkshire and England all-rounder now with Warwickshire

Bresnan, an England player between 2006 and 2015 and a county champion with Warwickshire this summer was accused by Rafiq in his statement of making "frequently racist comments" towards him.

He said he was also "unduly harsh" towards him when compared to white British players.

Rafiq said Bresnan and Andrew Gale would engage in regular "banter" and "the use of racist language was generally condoned or ignored."

Bresnan later apologised unreservedly for “any part I played in contributing to Azeem Rafiq’s experience of being bullied” but stressed the accusation he frequently made racist comments was “absolutely not true”.

Matthew Hoggard - Former England and Yorkshire bowler

Rafiq said Hoggard, who played 93 times for England, used multiple racial slurs on "a daily basis, and all day, every day."

He said after going public with his story, Hoggard contacted him regarding comments he had made and said: “I didn’t realise, I’m really sorry. If some of the comments I made you feel the way you’ve described it I just want to apologise.”

Andrew Gale - Former Yorkshire captain and current head coach

Rafiq said Gale and Marytn Moxon were present when he was asked if men with beards were his dad, or if corner shops were owned by his uncle.

In his statement, Rafiq said he was “petrified” of Gale, who he said “treated me like I am something attached to the bottom of his foot, which I believe was because of my race.”

Gale is currently suspended by Yorkshire as they investigate a historical tweet not related to the Rafiq situation.

Martyn Moxon - Former Yorkshire player, coach and current director of cricket

Rafiq alleged that on his first day back after the loss of his son: “Martyn Moxon got me in a room and ripped the shreds off me.”

He said he met with former chief executive Mark Arthur and Moxon in August 2018 to discuss the situation.

Rafiq said: "There was a defensive attitude and body language, a lot of shrugging of the shoulders, tutting, rolling of the eyes and staring at the clock behind me waiting for the meeting to end."

Rafiq said the pair were unsympathetic and neither of the resolutions they agreed were implemented.

Former Yorkshire chair Roger Hutton told MPs he had been blocked from removing Moxon over the racism allegations from his position by the board.

Moxon is still at the club but has been signed off work with a stress-related illness.

David Lloyd - Former England player, coach and broadcaster

Rafiq said Lloyd was talking about Rafiq's drinking and personal life when "he didn't even know me."

He said it made him think "there are some closet racists and I need to do something about it."

Lloyd has apologised to Rafiq and the Asian cricket community for any offence caused saying he "deeply regrets" his actions.

The former England coach said: “In October 2020, I had a private message exchanged with a third party involved in cricket, about a number of topics.

“In these messages, I referred to allegations about Azeem Rafiq which I had heard from within the game. I also made some comments about the Asian cricket community.

“I deeply regret my actions, and I apologise most sincerely to Azeem and to the Asian cricket community for doing this, and for any offence caused.”