Steve O’Keefe, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has been levied with a fine of $20,000 for making “highly inappropriate comments” at New South Wales’ end-of-season function, stated Cricket Australia on Friday (April 7). In addition to the fine levied on O’Keefe, New South Wales have decided to not include him in the squad for next year’s Matador Cup.
CA said that the left-arm spinner had been charged with a level two Code of Conduct offence. O’Keefe made those comments under the influence of alcohol after the conclusion of NSW’s end-of-season awards.
As O’Keefe admitted the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by CA, and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. O’Keefe is expected to receive counselling.
“There is no time or place for unacceptable behaviour from any of our players in Australian Cricket, and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this,” said CA head of team performance Pat Howard.
“We’re extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly on the back of a previous incident, and it now overshadows Stephen’s on field performance on the recent tour of India.”
“At an official Cricket NSW function I became intoxicated and made highly inappropriate comments,” O’Keefe noted.
“There is no excuse for this and I take full responsibility and offer an unconditional apology. I accept the sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW and welcome the chance to receive specialist counselling.
“I have a big challenge ahead and I am determined to meet it with actions, not just words. To all of the members of the cricket family I love and respect so much, again, apologies for letting you down,” he added.
In August last year, O’Keefe was slapped with a fine of $10,000 by the board and issued with “Infringement Notice” by NSW Police for offensive behaviour and being an excluded person remaining in the vicinity of licensed premises after a night at The Steyne Hotel in the beachside suburb of Manly.
The left-arm spinner had a successful tour of India, where he bagged 19 wickets in the four-match Test series.
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