A FORMER Indian test cricketer has spoken of his upset after shop workers were abused following his refusal to sell cigarettes to two soldiers in uniform.

Businessman Rashid Patel, owner of the Hardshaw Centre’s Alpha News and a former Indian test player, thought his newsagents was the subject of an undercover trading standards check when the troops visited on Wednesday.

Mistakenly he believed it was illegal to sell cigarettes to soldiers in uniform.

News of the episode, which did not feature Mr Patel’s side of the story, spread like wildfire across social media when Duane Fahy, one of the soldiers declined service, posted a complaint on Facebook.

It led to shop staff being verbally abused on Thursday and police having to stand guard outside the shop to prevent any disorder.

A number of protesters stood outside trying to persuade shoppers not to buy anything from the store.

But store bosses have since apologised, insisting they had simply misunderstood the law.

They have also been backed by the owners of the Hardshaw Centre.

Speaking to the Star, Mr Patel said: “Two soldiers came in their uniform and looked very young. They wanted to buy cigarettes.

“I looked at them and hesitated because they were with another person without a uniform.

“I thought he was from Trading Standards (doing an undercover check). I asked for ID because it was my perception that I couldn’t sell to people in army uniform.”

Police have said they are investigating a number of racist comments directed towards the shop on social media.

And Star readers have expressed shock at the level of alleged racism apparent on Facebook.

Last night Mr Fahy posted a message on the Star’s Facebook page saying he was dismayed at the repercussions of his online remark.

He wrote: “I posted the pic because I was confused and upset to why he didn’t serve me and wanted to know why.

“But as soon as I was aware the racist comments began I removed (it).

“The post was not intended to be some sort of racist gathering forum and I am disgusted as to what the shop owner has been through today.”

Meanwhile, Mr Patel, 52, added: “I come from a professional family. There is a white girl who has married into our family. We don’t think in terms of racism.

“I was very upset by what happened. We were brought up a different way to this. We have been here for seven years and everyone knows us.

“But some people may not know about my background and family. In India I had a fan club. A lot of people liked me because I was a test cricketer. This is the first time people have gone against me.”

Mr Patel played one test match and one international while spending three months with the Indian team in 1989.

His son Zafir also plays club cricket for Leeds/Bradford University and has played against Yorkshire.

“What happened did affect the business and I am just hoping that we can move on from this,” he added.