Rajasthan Royals has tendered an apology to Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) secretary Sanjay Dixit for the incident involving him and Shane Warne at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium on May 11.
Warne had used abusive language against Dixit for not allowing the team to have a pitch of its choice for the last two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at Jaipur. Dixit had complained to the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the IPL chairman Chirayu Amin and demanded an apology.
In a mail to the RCA secretary, the Rajasthan Royals Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sean Morris said, “On behalf of everyone at Rajasthan Royals, please accept my apologies for any distress that this might have caused you personally.”
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Morris continued, “I write to inform you and update you on our response to the incident that occurred at the end of the presentation ceremony at the RR vs RCB game. An internal disciplinary panel was convened at the earliest opportunity and met with Shane Warne to review his comments made to yourself post the prize giving.”
Warne had confronted Dixit and used objectionable language. “Offensive language,” as Dixit later informed.
The RR CEO continued, “Following submissions from the player and other management staff who were present at the incident we have decided to take disciplinary action against the player. The player has accepted the action that we have taken and apologised for any distress caused.”
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According to Morris, as a franchise, the players had been told “We will not tolerate colourful language towards anyone and in particular not a senior officer such as yourself.”
RR, with two matches in hand, is almost out of contention for the playoffs.