Cricket SA apologises to Warner and Australia over Sonny Bill masks

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has distanced itself from the alleged action of certain officials in associating themselves with fans wearing masks representing the face of Sonny Bill Williams, which is related to the Warner-De Kock incident.

In a statement released on Saturday morning, CSA said: “While CSA respects the rights of its fans to represent their own points of view, CSA does not associate itself with these actions and urges all Protea supporters from refraining from being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters.

“CSA has taken immediate precautionary steps against the CSA officials allegedly involved in this incident and will follow the organisation’s normal internal processes in this regard.”

CSA President Chris Nenzani also weighed in on the matter: “On behalf of CSA I extend my sincere apologies to the Board of Cricket Australia (CA), its officials, team management, players and their families.”

It was earlier reported that fans planning to attend the second test in Port Elizabeth were preparing by making Sonny Bill Williams masks to taunt Warner.

Williams and Warner’s now wife, Candice Warner, were involved in a toilet tryst in 2007. Another patron took a photo of the pair under the toilet cubicle door, and the images went worldwide.

Quinton de Kock’s retort to Warner’s sledging was to mention Williams and his brief relationship with Warner’s wife, at which Warner became angry and violent. De Kock was subsequently fined.