Understandably, the ramifications of the racism scandal engulfing Yorkshire County Cricket Club are now going way beyond the initial revelation that Gary Ballance referred to Azeem Rafiq as a "P***".
The broader picture is of institutionalised racism in cricket – and, indeed, in sport – and of a rancid culture of discrimination and abuse.
Rafiq, himself, said so in a tweet on Thursday morning.
"I wanted to stress this is not really about the words of certain individuals," he said. "This is about institutional racism and abject failures to act by numerous leaders at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and in the wider game."
Absolutely.
But let’s not lose sight of the abhorrent nature of the language Ballance used towards Rafiq.
Let’s not forget to call out the 'banter' excuse as the bull*** it is.
In no time for as long as I can remember has the word "P***" been anything other than a term of racist abuse.
Almost 20 years ago, I was in the Stadium of Light when racist English morons sang: "I’d rather be a P*** than a Turk."
It has ALWAYS been a racist term.
By now, Yorkshire should have suspended Ballance ( who has at least been suspended from any England selection by the ECB ) By now, he should already be enrolled on an education course.
Of course, the wider picture is hugely important... but the original sin cannot go unpunished.
