There is no end of trouble for Alex Hales as after the allegations of racism by Azeem Rafiq, British tabloid 'The Sun' has published his image in blackface from New Year Eve in the year 2009. The right-hander has offered his explanation that he was unaware of the offensive nature of the message it was giving.
He reiterated his stance against racism and discrimination.
“In 2009, I attended a New Year’s Eve musical tribute fancy dress party,” Hales, 32, told The Sun. “I dressed in tribute to my musical hero, Tupac Shakur, someone who I’ve admired from childhood and, at the time, did not realise the offensive nature of this.”I echo my statement from earlier in the week and stress how much I deplore racism and discrimination in all its forms.”
Hales was blamed for being racist at the core for naming his dog “Kevin” the same name Gary Ballance had given to people of colour in the Yorkshire dressing room. Hales denied those allegations as well and said that there was no discriminatory motive behind naming his dog, Kevin.
The Sun report also claimed that the England and Wales Cricket Board has taken cognisance of Hales’ historic photo and they have initiated an investigation.