Ben Stokes facing ICC action after foul-mouthed row with fan during fourth South Africa vs England Test

Ben Stokes had a heated exchange with a fan before leaving the pitch in Johannesburg
Sky Sports
Will Macpherson24 January 2020

Ben Stokes faces ICC punishment after he was caught swearing at a fan on the opening day of England's fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Stokes was dismissed for two by Anrich Nortje and was walking towards the famous Bullring tunnel when a spectator ran down the stand, swore at him, and said he looked like the red-haired singer Ed Sheeran.

Stokes responded in kind, saying: “Come and say that to me outside the ground, you f****** four-eyed c***".

Stokes’ comment was not broadcast live, but the local broadcaster showed it unredacted shortly after.

With the comments broadcast around the world, match referee Andy Pycroft must decide how to punish Stokes, who it is understood acknowledges that he has done wrong.

It is likely that he will be charged with an “audible obscenity”, which is a Level 1 offence, which would likely lead to one demerit point and a small fine.

It is highly unlikely but possible that Stokes could receive a Level 3 charge if it is considered a threat of assault. That would lead to an international ban.

Stokes has been in a slightly fragile emotional state since his father Ged was taken seriously ill just before Christmas.

Stokes snr, who lives in New Zealand, remains in hospital in Johannesburg and Stokes has been visiting him whenever possible. He admitted in his Daily Mirror column that he broke down in tears after being dismissed for 120 in Port Elizabeth.

This is not the first time an England player has been caught swearing on the broadcast this series. Jos Buttler was fined 15% of his match fee after calling Vernon Philander a f****** k******* and making a reference to his weight.

It has been an occasionally fiery series, with South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada banned for this match having picked up a fourth demerit point in two years at Port Elizabeth. Unlike Rabada, Stokes - who signed autographs after stumps - has no active points on his record.

The Wanderers is a famously intimidating ground.

The South African debutant Beuran Hendricks said: “It's a public sport so I think if fans are coming hard, we certainly don't condone it as players, we expect more from fans, we are all trying to enjoy the game.

“We ask the fans for respect and make sure that they are enjoying the game as much as we are.

“We can't stop what the fans are doing, but we need to make sure we zone in on what is happening on the park and don’t really interact with anything.”

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