Melbourne, Jan 29 (Inditop) Controversial Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds Thursday was fined $4000 (Aus) by Cricket Australia (CA) over his radio interview in which he called New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum a “lump of s..t”.
Symonds appeared before CA Code of Conduct senior commissioner Gordon Lewis here and pleaded guilty for breaching section nine of the board’s code for detrimental public comment in a hearing that lasted two hours.
After the hearing, while speaking to the media Symonds said he accepted the penalty and again apologised to McCullum.
“Whilst the comments were intended to be light-hearted, I acknowledge that they were careless and as such I accept the fine that I have received today,” the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by The Age.
“I am pleased that the commissioner (code of conduct senior commissioner Gordon Lewis)determined the penalty based on the full 14-minute interview, and not just the one comment that received extensive coverage. I want to again apologise to Brendon McCullum for my comments and thank him for his understanding.
“I want to reinforce that I remain committed to Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so that I can focus on my cricket,” he added.
CA reported the all-rounder for an alleged breach of the Code of Behaviour following the radio interview with Roy & HG on Triple M Friday night.
rounak