Sydney: Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater was kicked off a plane after a heated argument with two friends, delaying the flight for 30 minutes, a report said Tuesday.
‘Macquarie Sports Radio’, citing eyewitnesses, said the row erupted between Slater and two women as they boarded a flight Sunday from here to his hometown Wagga Wagga.
It escalated with yelling and swearing as they took their seats, the broadcaster reported, claiming Slater locked himself in a toilet and refused to come out, with security called to remove him.
Slater, now a well-known television pundit who is due to commentate at the upcoming World Cup in England, confirmed the incident in a statement, according to ‘Macquarie’.
“I did have an argument with two friends whilst boarding a flight to Wagga and I apologise for the inconvenience this caused other passengers on the flight,” he said. Australian airline Qantas also confirmed an incident, without naming Slater.
“Prior to departure on a Sydney to Wagga Wagga flight, Sunday, a male passenger was asked to leave the aircraft for being disruptive,” it said in a statement to this agency. “He complied with the crew’s request.”
Slater occupied a position at the top of the Australian Test batting order for close to a decade, scoring 5,312 runs before his 2004 retirement.
AFP
