MIKE ATHERTON is still in hot water over his "buffoon" insult to a Pakistani journalist.

The Rawalpindi and Islamabad Sports Journalists Association has refused to accept the apology and Asghar Ali, the journalist in question, is demanding to meet Atherton in person.

Even more seriously for the England captain the RIFJA have sent a tape of the incident to three governing bodies - the Test and County Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council at Lords, and local tournament organisers Pilcom.

President Imran Naeem said: "Atherton has not just abused a journalist, but the entire Pakistani sports journalists' community. He cannot get away with this."

Meanwhile Ali headed for the hills. Speaking from the Pearl Continental Hotel in Bhurban in the Murree Mountains, he said: "I had to come here to collect my thoughts. Atherton embarrassed me in front of local and national journalists.

"I am very upset and I will not accept his apology until I hear it from him myself."

Ali works for Pakistan Press International and expects to meet Atherton in Karachi before England face Pakistan on Sunday.

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