Ben Stokes fined and handed demerit point for swearing at spectator in Johannesburg

Stokes called the fan a "f*****g four-eyed c**t" after himself being abused, and was subsequently cited by match referee Andy Pycroft

• Stokes apologises for swearing at spectator

Ben Stokes has been fined and handed a demerit point after swearing at a spectator on day one of the fourth Test at the Wanderers.

Stokes called the fan a "f*****g four-eyed c**t" after himself being targeted for verbal abuse, and was subsequently cited by match referee Andy Pycroft.

Pycroft met with Stokes on Saturday morning, with the ICC subsequently releasing a statement confirming that the player had accepted a charge of breaching the global governing body's code of conduct.

"Stokes was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'use of an audible obscenity during an International Match'," it read.

The allrounder's disciplinary record was previously clean. He has been docked 15 per cent of his match fee.

Stokes issued a statement via the ECB on Friday evening, apologising for his actions.

"I wish to apologise for my language that was heard on the live broadcast today after my dismissal," the ICC cricketer of the year said. "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 apologise for the language I used, especially to the many young fans watching the live telecast around the world."

^{Ben Stokes has been reprimanded by the ICC for swearing at a spectator}

"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."

England director of men's cricket Ashley Giles has asked for tighter security at the Bullring after claiming a number of the touring side's backroom staff were abused on the first day of the final Test.

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, meanwhile, is concerned the entire incident is dominating the news agenda during a delicately poised match.

"It's a classic mountain out of a molehill and the age we live in," Cook told Sky Sports.

"Someone has abused him and in an ideal world he'd have walked up the stairs and not said anything, but that's not in Ben Stokes' nature.

"It's overshadowing the cricket, which is a shame.

"You can't really compare that to the Bristol incident. You're playing in an international mathc and you want to do well. That little moment when you get out, that 30 seconds, you're hating yourself, you're so angry and someone's said something. 

"Ben just replied. He shouldn't have done, you can't defend that but he has done."