BENDIGO’S Marcus McKern has apologised to the Bendigo District Cricket Association and its tribunal members who he offended in a Facebook post last month that has contributed to a 20-month suspension.
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McKern fronted a Northern Rivers tribunal after breaching Cricket Victoria’s social media policy.
McKern posted disparaging remarks towards the BDCA tribunal members after his suspension in mid-December until the end of January for dissent following his dismissal against Strathfieldsaye in round six.
McKern also faced an added report of misconduct following an investigation into an alleged threatening gesture towards the Bendigo District Cricket Umpires Association advocate at the initial tribunal hearing.
McKern was found guilty on both reports, but pleaded not guilty to the threatening gesture charge.
However, he acknowledged he had made a major mistake in his Facebook post and would cop his whack, which is suspension for the rest of this season and next, meaning he won’t be eligible to play again until October, 2017. The penalty also includes a two-year suspended sentence.
“I’ve obviously done something I shouldn’t have, and I understand that and got my whack for it,” McKern said at the weekend.
“I gave my explanation where I felt I wasn’t respected in the first tribunal hearing and it was something that I had stewed on for a couple of weeks and unfortunately, I made a judgement of error in writing the Facebook comments.
“My parents were disappointed in what I did and I’ve obviously let a lot of people down.”
McKern, 34, said he would return to cricket when his suspension is served.
Bendigo president Tony Fitzpatrick said while the Goers were disappointed in McKern’s comments on Facebook, the club would support him through the suspension.
“Marcus is very disappointed with what he has done, and the club certainly wasn’t happy with him,” Fitzpatrick said.
“But he has gone through the tribunal process, accepted his penalty and is very apologetic. It’s a long time to be out of cricket, so we will still support him because it’s not going to be easy for him.”
BDCA president Wayne Walsh said the punishment sent a clear message that inappropriate use of social media would not be tolerated.
“If you look at Cricket Victoria’s social media policy, Marcus ticked all the boxes as far as breaking the rules,” Walsh said.
“The standard is set by the by-laws and it categorically states you can’t use defamatory comments on social media.
“Social media is a big part of everyday life now, but this shows you’ve got to be careful with what you put on Facebook and the like.”
Cricket Victoria’s social media policy states it’s prohibited to “abuse, harass or threaten any person, including Cricket Victoria or another member” or “make defamatory of libelous comments”.