On Friday, the flamboyant English all-rounder, Ben Stokes for swearing at a fan during the fourth and final Test against South Africa but claimed he was the victim of “repeated abuse”. He described his reaction at the Wanderers as “unprofessional”. However, the English claimed staff and players were also subjected to “personal abuse during and after the day’s play”.
After getting out on Day 1 of the Johannesburg Test, Stokes stopped briefly as he left the field after being dismissed for just two and appeared to challenge a spectator, who evidently insulted him. According to the television footage, Stokes was heard saying, “Come say that to me outside the ground, you f**king four-eyed c*nt.”
Ben Stokes just replied to a kid with “say it to me outside the ground, you fucking four eyed cunt”
😐😂😂😂
— Cricket Comedy (@CricketComedy_) January 24, 2020
Witnesses told the Guardian newspaper that a middle-aged man, wearing a South Africa one-day cricket team shirt, had targeted Stokes, allegedly calling him a “ginger c*nt” and likening him to pop star Ed Sheeran.
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Taking to Twitter and Stokes apologized for his behavior, he said, “I wish to apologize for my language that was heard on the live broadcast today after my dismissal. I should not have reacted in that way. As I was leaving the playing area, I was subjected to repeated abuse from the crowd. I admit that my reaction was unprofessional, and I sincerely apologize for the language I used, especially to the many young fans watching the live telecast around the world. Throughout the Tests so far, the support from both sets of fans (England and South Africa) has been brilliant. One incident will not ruin such a competitive series, which we are determined to win.”
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 24, 2020
England all-rounder Stokes could face disciplinary action for swearing at a fan, which is a level one offense according to the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct. The incident involving Stokes happened just before the player stepped into the protected environment of the tunnel. Ashley Giles, managing director of England men’s cricket, asked for security and stewarding to be improved for the remainder of the match.
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Giles said, “We have requested to the venue to ensure that security and stewarding are enhanced for the remainder of the match so that players and staff members can go about their duties without provocation”
England were 192-4 at the end of the rain-shortened first day.
