Sky Sports has apologised to viewers after Ben Stokes was caught on camera swearing at a spectator following his dismissal in the fourth Test against the Proteas.
After being caught at slip late in the day, the England batsman was shown by the television cameras to have launched a verbal rant in the direction of the crowd as he approached the tunnel that leads to the players’ dressing room.
While it’s difficult to hear what was said to Stokes, the footage shows him responding by saying: ‘Come and say that to me outside the ground you f***ing four-eyed c***.’
Sky subsequently cut into the feed of the broadcaster SuperSport, with presenter Nick Knight apologising to viewers.
Use of an audible obscenity during an international match is considered a Level One offence, and carries a penalty of one demerit point.
??? pic.twitter.com/SVdls1MRfR
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) January 24, 2020
“Given the regulations that we play under, the players just have to learn to hold their tongue I’m afraid.”
Our pundits share their initial thoughts after England’s Ben Stokes appeared to be involved in an altercation with a person in the stands. #SAvENG
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) January 24, 2020
Nice one stokes ?? “Come and say it to me outside the ground you f%%king four eyed c%%t” ??? pic.twitter.com/VDTMZBx28M
— Mr H (@RealHodgson) January 24, 2020
I’ve been wearing glasses for over a year and this is what Ben Stokes said to me ??? pic.twitter.com/iCaSzwkEQc
— Simmi Areff (@simmiareff) January 24, 2020
