Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey has opened up the homophobic incident between his gun all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Kane Richardson of the Melbourne Renegades, describing the pair as clashing ‘alpha males’ with a rivalry dating back ‘four or five seasons’.
Stoinis was fined $7500 for aiming a homophobic slur at Kane Richardson during a BBL game on Saturday night, as Stoinis starred in an eight-wicket win for the Stars over their cross-town rivals.
Hussey, coach of the Stars, spoke to SEN radio on Monday morning and said that healthy on-field banter ‘went a little bit too far’ in the incident.
“I don’t really know all the ins and out of (the incident),” he said.
“All I know is Marcus is really apologetic, he was actually distraught after the game. He’s spoken to Kane (Richardson) and it’s been done with now and we can hopefully move on.
“There’s two alpha males going at it and trying to win in for their respective teams, I thought it was good for the game, yet (the banter) probably went a little bit too far.
“It’s been going on for probably a good four or five seasons now.”
Stoinis apologised for his actions but former Australia player Simon Katich believes the $7500 fine did no go far enough, calling on Cricket Australia to make such offences instant bans.
“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.”
