[PICTURES] Cricket South Africa officials caught posing with fans in Sonny Bill masks

[MenInG]

Port Elizabeth: Two Cricket South Africa executives have been photographed at the second Test posing alongside spectators wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks, worn as a ploy to taunt Australian opener and vice-captain David Warner.

Clive Eksteen, CSA's head of commercial and marketing, and Altaaf Kazi, the organisation's head of communications, smiled and put their arms around each other as they stood alongside three men in masks on the first day of play at St George's Park on Friday.

The Australian team has been made aware of the photo and are outraged by it, as well as CSA's call to overturn a decision by venue security to have the masks confiscated in bags at the turnstiles on entry.

The masks were brought into the ground by some spectators as a way of trying to ridicule Warner, whose wife Candice had a well-known encounter with Williams in 2007, years before she met the Australian vice-captain.

It was a taunt about Warner's wife from South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that sparked an angry response from the opener in a stairwell in Durban, as the players walked towards the dressing rooms on the fourth day of the first Test last Sunday.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...fans-in-sonny-bill-masks-20180310-p4z3px.html

 

[MenInG]

CSA DISTANCES ITSELF FROM SBW MASKS; APOLOGIZES TO CA

Saturday, 10 March 2018

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) wishes to distance itself from the alleged action of certain officials in associating themselves with fans wearing masks representing the face of Sonny Bill Williams, which conduct is seemingly related to the Warner/De Kock incident during the opening day of the second Sunfoil Test match at St. George’s Park.

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.

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

 

[Major]

)

oh warner is gonna be angry nnow.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Nah, I don't think that's on. Fans are one thing, officials are another. Leave it the players themselves to slug it out in the middle, nasty sledging including (I have no issues with it for the most part), but off the field it's a no-go, especially for officials.

 

[Adijazz1706]

What's going on? Who is this guy?

 

[MenInG]

What's going on? Who is this guy?

Person who had an affair with Warner's wife some time ago and QDK mentioned it to Warner also which caused the fight.

 

[Zahii]

Sbw is muslim now, this was before when he was 20, now he's married and got two kids imgine what he's going through with his family

 

[shah_1]

This is hilarious

)

 

[wrongun]

I can't believe they're letting that go on at the game!

 

[Adijazz1706]

Turns out Sonny is a NZ rugby star and is now a muslim, wonder how he feels about this stuff

 

[Junaids]

Person who had an affair with Warner's wife some time ago and QDK mentioned it to Warner also which caused the fight.

The Sonny Bill story shouldn’t be used to taunt the lady, but the SBW side is actually a hilarious story.

SBW and CF were blind drunk when they went to the gents toilets. Three hours later CF and the league player Ben Roberts had a public tryst too.

Willie Mason’s girlfriend took the blind dunk SBW back home to his girlfriend, but early in the morning he was called by a teammate to say that the story was all over the papers.

And here’s the funny part: SBW got up and went round every newsagents in the Eastern Suburbs, literally buying every copy of every newspaper, to try to prevent his girlfriend from finding out.

SBW has always been the figure of fun in this story, not CF, who was single at the time.

 

[MenInG]

Guys - pls dont make this into a cheap tabloid trash type thread

 

[Major]

Sbw is muslim now, this was before when he was 20, now he's married and got two kids imgine what he's going through with his family

what does being muslim got anything to do with this?

 

[Major]

Warner is a bully

the guy gets away with alot.

He has always instigated fights.

What is sledging? Seldginng is basically a technique of getting under the skin of another person.

and players should use this wife affair as a way to get under Warner's skin.

If you are gong to set limits after this, then this is pure hypocrisy. Warner bought this on to himself.

 

[Major]

can't believe some people would support warner here

Its common sense.

If you get bullied by a person day in and day out, you will go on to say the thing that would break him and keep him shut.

Thankfully World Cricket has found a way to keep Warner shut.

 

[JattMaula]

Now that whole world knows his weak spot.... This will never die down.

 

[MenInG]

Guys - pls dont make this into a cheap tabloid trash type thread

Repeat again. Take heed and then dont complain if banned.

 

[Kroll]

This is so distasteful, no matter how much a player is disliked, their family should not be targeted like this.

 

[Slog]

This is so distasteful, no matter how much a player is disliked, their family should not be targeted like this.

The target is Warner not his family

 

[Kroll]

The target is Warner not his family

The SBW incident involved his now wife as this had nothing to do with Warner at the time. Warner may be getting targeted directly but it's clearly bringing his family into it, otherwise he would not be losing his rag like this.

 

[Sidilicious]

The target is Warner not his family

Ok from fans and players. But the officials should not get involved.

 

[Kroll]

Ok from fans and players. But the officials should not get involved.

Definitely, not only crude but unprofessional.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I’m sure Warner will now think twice before acting like a muppet on the field.

 

[DeadBall]

Warner is a bully

the guy gets away with alot.

He has always instigated fights.

What is sledging? Seldginng is basically a technique of getting under the skin of another person.

and players should use this wife affair as a way to get under Warner's skin.

If you are gong to set limits after this, then this is pure hypocrisy. Warner bought this on to himself.

It wasn't an affair as it happened before they got married. But if he dishes it, he should also learn to take it.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Warner is bit dim.

Now his entire career he will have this weak spot.

Before only Aussies knew about it I think.

 

[Sidilicious]

Warner is bit dim.

Now his entire career he will have this weak spot.

Before only Aussies knew about it I think.

tbh, I knew about it and I have never even been to Australia. SBW was big during the 15 WC. But I doubt anyone used it on the field until last week. Now everyone will.

If you like giving it, learn to take it too. Dont go crying about the 'line'

 

[Abdul]

Warner deserves ALL of this happening to him. Every single bit. I'm so happy.

 

[Kroll]

tbh, I knew about it and I have never even been to Australia. SBW was big during the 15 WC. But I doubt anyone used it on the field until last week. Now everyone will.

If you like giving it, learn to take it too. Dont go crying about the 'line'

The Barmy Army are and will be having a field day with this one.

 

[Madplayer]

Warner's wife most certainly doesnt deserve this. It can have serious implications on their relationship or mental health if it keeps repeating again and again.

Warner should also stop being an absolute tool on the field.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Most here haven't actually followed Warner's career and are spouting pure rubbish. They remember one or two incidents of the old Warner which has damaged their sensitive little hearts for life.

 

[Poutine]

Warner deserves ALL of this happening to him. Every single bit. I'm so happy.

His wife doesn't deserve this, why bring her into this?

 

[CanadianG00se]

This is cheapshot. Officials should refrain from such act, it will only encourages players to misbehave.

Like some mentioned, its Warner’s wife who will repeatedly feel the heat and could even lead to marriage problems.
Target the players, not their family.

 

[Syed1]

There is low.... there is lowest of low...... then there is this.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Most here haven't actually followed Warner's career and are spouting pure rubbish. They remember one or two incidents of the old Warner which has damaged their sensitive little hearts for life.

No. Warner has been a little numpty for years. There are at least 15 incidents which I can recall.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I think after Warner and co bought QDK's mother, sister or mrs into sledging on the field of play it really made South Africans angry.

This is a bit low but if you spout nonsense about someone's mother, expect no holding back from their end too.

 

[Abdullah719]

CSA officials face action over SBW masks

Port Elizabeth - Two senior Cricket South Africa (CSA) officials face disciplinary action after posing with spectators wearing masks showing the face of All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams during the second Test against Australia on Friday.

The masks were likely to have been worn to taunt Australian batsman David Warner, whose wife had an encounter with Williams in 2007 before meeting Warner.

There have been calls on social media for spectators to wear the masks following a row between Warner and South Africa's Quinton de Kock during the first Test, which Warner claimed was sparked when De Kock insulted his wife.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Cricket South Africa distanced itself from the action of the officials, marketing manager Clive Eksteen and communications manager Altaaf Kazi.

Eksteen is a former South African Test player.

The two officials were photographed with three spectators wearing the masks at the match at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.

The statement said CSA had taken "immediate precautionary steps" against the officials and that there would be an internal disciplinary process.

CSA president Chris Nenzani apologised to the board of Cricket Australia and its officials, team management, players and their families.

The statement urged South African supporters to refrain from "being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters."

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian team were "outraged" by a decision to allow the masks to be brought into the ground.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/csa-officials-face-action-over-sbw-masks-20180310

 

[Chief Destroyer]

No. Warner has been a little numpty for years. There are at least 15 incidents which I can recall.

Go on. Name 3 from the last three years.

 

[shane]

I can't see the problem to be honest. They want to make fun of Warner by wearing masks of a man Warner's wife slept with before she even met Warner. I don't think it's funny but it's not inappropriate considering we are talking about David Warner.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Distasteful stuff from the fans and officials.

 

[UN talkz]

DAVID Warner has made a stand and given a touching tribute to wife Candice after a week in which the mother-of-two has been mocked over a decade-old off-field incident.



South African officials have come under fire for posing with fans wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks, in a move which was intended to provoke David Warner following last week’s ugly dressing room fracas between the Australian vice-captain and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock.

That was reportedly sparked by a “disgusting” comment from de Kock about Candice.

It has been in the news all week, with Candice and the couple’s two children, Ivy Mae and Indi Rae, travelling with the team in South Africa.

On Sunday, Warner took their names with him onto the field - writing “Candice” on strapping across his knuckles, and “Ivy” and “Indi” along his fingers.

The strapping itself was the subject of intense speculation on Sunday, with the star opener accused of cheating.

According to both the Australian and Channel 9, South Africa’s batsmen complained to umpires about taping on Warner’s left hand.

Warner, who suffered a fractured left thumb in 2015, had heavy strapping over much of his left palm on day two of the second Test at Port Elizabeth.

The South Africans allege that strapping is aiding Warner tamper with the condition of the ball.

On Sunday he turned it back to his advantage, in a show of support for his family.

Warner was hit with three demerit points and fined 75 per cent of his match fee after he was caught on CCTV in a stoush with Quinton de Kock. Incensed by disparaging remarks made by de Kock about his wife Candice, the vice-captain had to be held back by teammates on his way up the stairwell to the team dressing room.

The ugly incident has followed him to St George’s Park, where Cricket South Africa left its Cricket Australia counterparts incredulous by allowing fans into the ground with Sonny Bill Williams masks — a shocking reference to Candice Warner’s association with the rugby star over 10 years ago.

To make matters worse, two CSA officials posed alongside fans who were wearing the masks on day one.

A day later CSA issued an apology to the Warner family and Cricket Australia, and the two officials in the photo — commercial manager Clive Eksteen and media and communications manager Altaaf Khazi — are fighting to save their jobs.

Despite the distractions, Warner has been Australia’s top run-scorer in the series so far, with 142 runs at an average of 47.33.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/752baead60110614bd4dabb8a6110980

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Those officials should be heavily fined for such a disgusting gesture. You don't bring a man's family into such stuff. You have a problem? Be man enough and dish it out on the field! This is very low.......

 

[Hasan123]

Unnessacry stuff. Let the cricket do the talking.

 

[rhony]

Warner deserves ALL of this happening to him. Every single bit. I'm so happy.

What's disgusting is Warner pulling his family into this deeper with his antics by writing their names. If at all, he should have let this die down. He brought this on himself and should have had a quiet word with Dekock in private. That's what any decent husband would do to make sure it's not publicized. He was a bully, then tried to be a brave defender and is now acting like a victim. That's a classic bully. Feel sorry for his wife here.