Marcus Stoinis fined for homophobic slur

The comment, which was directed towards Melbourne Renegades seamer Kane Richardson in a game ultimately won by Stoinis’ Stars team, was picked up on by the on-field umpires

Australia allrounder Marcus Stoinis has been fined A$7,500 (£3,982) after making a homophobic slur during a Big Bash game between rivals Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades.

The comment, which was directed towards Renegades seamer Kane Richardson in a game ultimately won by Stoinis’ Stars team, was picked up on by on-field umpires Gerard Abood and Phillip Gillespie and reported to match referee Daryl Harper.

He later apologised after being found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia’s code of conduct.

“I got caught in the moment and took it too far,” Stoinis said of the incident.

“I realised immediately I was in the wrong and I apologise to Kane and to the umpires.

“I did the wrong thing and accept responsibility for my actions. The standards are there for a reason and I accept the penalty.”

The incident is not the first of the Australian summer; James Pattinson, who is currently in Test action against New Zealand, was found guilty of a similar offence.

He was handed a one-match ban, which ruled him out of Australia’s first Test against Pakistan. In the fast bowler’s case, his code of conduct breach was his third in 18 months, leading to his more severe penalty.

“The behaviour in this matter falls short of the standards we expect and we have acted accordingly,” Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's head of integrity and security, added of Stoinis’ sanction.

“There is no place for it in the game.”