Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been fined A$7,500 ($5,000) for directing a homophobic abuse at Australia teammate Kane Richardson during a Big Bash League Twenty20 match between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades at the MCG on Saturday.
Stoinis has been found guilty of a level two breach of Article 2.1.3 of Cricket Australia's code of conduct.
Stoinis accepted the charge without challenge. The breach was reported by umpires Gerard Abood and Phillip Gillespie to match referee Daryl Harper.
"I got caught in the moment and took it too far," the Melbourne Stars batsman said in a statement.
"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."
Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity and Security, said the decision to hand Stoinis a level two breach and fine him was the appropriate course of action.
"The behaviour in this matter falls short of the standards we expect and we have acted accordingly. There is no place for it in the game," Carroll said.
