Cricket Australia under fire for handling of Marcus Stoinis’ gay slur

Cricket Australia has defended its decision to just fine Marcus Stoinis in the wake of a second homophobic slur in Australia, despite the game’s attempt to spring clean its image following a cultural crisis.

Marcus Stoinis helped the Stars to a big win over the Renegades. Pic: Getty Images

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Australia’s attempts to spring clean its image after a cultural crisis has been rocked by two homophobic slurs within two months.

Test great Simon Katich has questioned whether Cricket Australia has done enough to stamp out the unacceptable behaviour, after Melbourne Stars batsman Marcus Stoinis escaped the latest grubby incident with a fine.

Cricket Australia integrity chief Sean Carroll maintains a fine was an appropriate punishment.

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Marcus Stoinis helped the Stars to a big win. Pic: Getty Images

Kane Richardson took an early wicket at the MCG. Pic: AAP

In an ugly look for the game, Stoinis was reprimanded for a gay slur he directed at Melbourne Renegades counterpart Kane Richardson in Saturday night’s BBL derby, only weeks after James Pattinson missed a Test match for a separate homophobic breach.

Pattinson’s accumulation of code of conduct offences meant he was banned from a Test, but Stoinis got off with just a $7500 fine based on it being his first transgression.

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Katich said it felt as though Pattinson was only banned because of his bad overall record, and believes Stoinis should have been suspended from BBL competition to send the strongest possible message.

“I’m not sure a financial punishment is the right way of going about it given that we’ve had a couple of instances of this throughout the summer now,” Katich said on SEN Radio.

Stoinis shakes hands with Renegades keeper Sam Harper after the match. Pic: Getty Images

“James Pattinson obviously had a prior record and obviously got suspended.

“I just wonder whether that probably counted a fair bit for having the prior record.

“But it’s something I think they’ll be pretty keen to stamp out. I’m not sure a financial penalty in this day and age when the players are very well looked after is that significant.”

Cricket Australia have been huge advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion in community cricket and have prided themselves on leading the way in this field.

But even if the Stoinis and Pattinson infringements are more unfortunate coincidence than the start of a pattern, they have served to undermine the cultural rebuild Cricket Australia is working hard to achieve.

Umpires have been consistent in reporting the homophobic slurs and there has been no attempt to sweep the matters under the carpet.

James Pattinson was banned from the first Test against New Zealand for a gay slur. Picture: Jeremy Ng/AFP

Carroll said a fine was appropriate punishment for Stoinis.

“The behaviour in this matter falls short of the standards we expect and we have acted accordingly,” said Carroll.

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

It’s understood Stoinis apologised immediately – much like Pattinson had earlier in the summer.

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Stoinis has endured a forgettable 12 months since being axed from Australia’s white ball teams and faces a long road back.

The Stars all-rounder was genuinely remorseful of his actions.

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

“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.”

Originally published as Cricket Australia under fire for handling of Marcus Stoinis’ gay slur