Johannesburg: Former Proteas paceman Fanie de Villiers has landed himself in hot waters after making remarks which were deemed offensive by Portuguese community in the country, while commentating on television during the first cricket Test between India and South Africa here.
The remarks were made when images of two young women supporters with their hands in the air were flashed on TV screens during the match. De Villiers commented that if they were in Portugal, one would see only black under their arms, suggesting that Portuguese women had hygiene issues.
De Villier's employer SuperSport confirmed that he may face disciplinary steps for making unsavoury remarks on air during the first Test here on Friday. South Africa has a sizeable community of Portuguese origin, prompting many complaints on de Villiers' remarks.
Some said they would also lodge complaints with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa, which administers a Code of Conduct that precludes any form of discrimination, including any remarks based on race or gender.
SuperSport spokesman Clinton van der Berg told the Afrikaans daily Beeld that the broadcaster was aware of complaints against de Villiers. Van den Berg said SuperSport apologised unconditionally for the "objectionable" remarks made by de Villiers.
"We are taking the matter up seriously and disciplinary steps will possibly be taken against Fanie," he said, adding that SuperSport does not tolerate any form of discrimination. "I did not mean to cause offense," de Villiers told the daily, but appeared to be unconcerned about possibly being suspended from commentating as the second Test got underway in Durban today.
He said that he was not scheduled to do commentary in the second Test in any case.
South Africa's Jacques Kallis waves to the crowd in his last match before retirement during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.
India's Shikhar Dhawan bats during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay bats during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Vernon Philander bowls during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay ducks a bouncer from South Africa's Dale Steyn during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's batsman Shikhar Dhawan plays a shot during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa.South Africa's bowler Morne Morkel throws the ball during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Dale Steyn (R) reacts during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Morne Morkel celebrates the wicket of India's Shikhar Dhawan during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Shikhar Dhawan loses his wicket to South Africa's Morne Morkel during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.India's batsman Shikhar Dhawan leaves the field after being dismissed for 29 runs during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP South Africa's Jacques Kallis bowls in his last match during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Cheteshwar Pujara is hit on the leg during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Robin Petersen bowls during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's fans show their support for Jacques Kallis during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay celebrates his fifty runs during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, at Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's bowler Morne Morkel, center, unsuccessfuly appeals for LBW against India's batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, right, as teammate wicketkeeper Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, left, watches during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa.South Africa's fans during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's wicketkeeper Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, right, attempts a run out against India's batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, left, during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth African cricket fans sing during first day of their cricket test match between South Africa and India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APIndia's batsman Murali Vijay avoids a bouncer during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth Africa's bowler Vernon Philander, left, fields off own bowling after India's Shikhar Dhawan, right, plays played a shot during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. AP South Africa's player Jacques Kallis looks on during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth Africa's player Jacques Kallis bowls during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APIndia's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, centre, with teammate India's Virat Kohli, left, waves in the players pavilion as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, with teammate India's Virat Kohli, left, gestures in the players pavilion as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP Match is stopped due to bad light during the first day of the cricket test match between South Africa and India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP South Africa's player Jacques Kallis looks on as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP
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