Steve O'Keefe, the Australian spinner, has been sanctioned with a $10,000 fine by Cricket Australia (CA) after he was involved in an incident at a Sydney hotel on Saturday (August 6) night.
The New South Wales (NSW) player was charged for breaking Level 2 offence under CA's Code of Behaviour. He was also issued an 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.
O'Keefe was part of the Australian squad currently touring Sri Lanka. The tweaker injured his hamstring during the second innings of the first Test and was ruled out of the game, and eventually the remainder of the series.
Andrew Jones, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSW, sympathized with O'Keefe's tough situation but admitted that the tweaker failed to meet the high standards that are set for the players. "Steve has had a difficult couple of weeks but that is no excuse.
"We expect a high standard from our players on and off the field and in this case Steve failed to meet those high standards. I have spoken to Steve and he is very disappointed with his behaviour. He has apologised to the management of The Steyne Hotel and accepts that he will be sanctioned," he said.
Cricket Australia also mentioned that the 31-year-old NSW player will undergo counselling and education as part of the sanction. O'Keefe admitted to the wrong-doing. "I know I failed to uphold the high standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer and apologise to all concerned," he said in a statement.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia."
Pat Howard, CA's Executive General Manager of Team Performance, added: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian Cricket.
"Steve understands our expectations and that we're extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury."
© Cricbuzz
The New South Wales (NSW) player was charged for breaking Level 2 offence under CA's Code of Behaviour. He was also issued an 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.
O'Keefe was part of the Australian squad currently touring Sri Lanka. The tweaker injured his hamstring during the second innings of the first Test and was ruled out of the game, and eventually the remainder of the series.
Andrew Jones, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSW, sympathized with O'Keefe's tough situation but admitted that the tweaker failed to meet the high standards that are set for the players. "Steve has had a difficult couple of weeks but that is no excuse.
"We expect a high standard from our players on and off the field and in this case Steve failed to meet those high standards. I have spoken to Steve and he is very disappointed with his behaviour. He has apologised to the management of The Steyne Hotel and accepts that he will be sanctioned," he said.
Cricket Australia also mentioned that the 31-year-old NSW player will undergo counselling and education as part of the sanction. O'Keefe admitted to the wrong-doing. "I know I failed to uphold the high standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer and apologise to all concerned," he said in a statement.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia."
Pat Howard, CA's Executive General Manager of Team Performance, added: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian Cricket.
"Steve understands our expectations and that we're extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury."
© Cricbuzz