Australia coach Darren Lehmann has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee after pleading guilty to a charge of publicly criticising and making inappropriate comments about England player Stuart Broad in relation to an incident that occurred in an International Match.
Lehmann was found to have breached Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match official or team participating in any International Match.
On Thursday evening, Lehmann admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction offered to him by Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charge related to comments made by Lehmann on the eve of the fifth and final Ashes Test during an interview on Australian radio.
The charge was laid by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson.
Mr Richardson said: “Whilst noting the context and nature of the comments made, showing mutual respect for one’s fellow professionals - including for coaches, players and match officials - is a cornerstone of how we play the game.”
The range of permissible sanctions for all first Level 1 offences is a warning or reprimand and/or the imposition of a fine of up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee.