Stoinis fined for homophobic slur during Big Bash League

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was Sunday slapped with a hefty fine after directing a homophobic slur at Kane Richardson during a domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League game. Melbourne Stars player apologized after being found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia's code of conduct and penalised AUD 7,500 (USD 5,200).

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"I got caught in moment and took it too far," Stoinis said of incident during clash with cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades on Saturday.

"I realised immediately I was in wrong and I apologise to Kane and to umpires.

"I did wrong thing and accept responsibility for my actions. standards are re for a reason and I accept penalty." 

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incident comes six weeks after fast bowler James Pattinson, currently playing for Australia in third Test against New Zealand in Sydney, was banned for player abuse, also reportedly a homophobic slur. His penalty -- a one-match suspension which ruled him out of first Test against Pakistan -- was harsher as it was his third code of conduct breach in past 18 months. " behaviour in this matter falls short of standards we expect and we have acted accordingly," Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's head of integrity and security said of Stoinis fine.

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He only referred to matter as "personal abuse of a player", although Cricket Australia website characterised it as a homophobic slur. "re is place for it in game," added Carroll. 

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