Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Australian wrestler Hassene Fkiri, who was disqualified for making an obscene gesture at officials during his gold-medal bout against India’s Anil Kumar in the Commonwealth Games Tuesday, apologised to the match referees and Kumar Wednesday after being pulled up by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA).

Fkiri made an obscene gesture and indulged in unsporting behaviour during the bout.

“Fkiri had come to the wrestling venue today and he apologized before the match referees and Anil Kumar for his indecent behaviour. He has also submitted a written apology,” said a spokesperson of Australian wrestling team here Wednesday.

Fkiri, who was competing in the Greco-Roman 96-kg category, refused to shake hands with Anil after the bout and showed middle finger to officials after the rough bout.

During the bout, the Australian was cautioned twice, once for headbutting and then for slapping the Indian. Fkiri was booed by the crowd and later disqualified by the referee for indiscipline.

The Australian wrestler was denied the silver medal, which he would have picked up after losing to Anil Kumar.

According to a media report, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association had held crisis meetings after Fkiri’s unsporting behaviour.

The media report said that the wrestler has been confined to the athletes’ village until the end of the Games and he has been ordered to help his teammates with their competition preparations.

After his return home, Fkiri will conduct a weekly one-hour training session for 12 months with the juniors of the Sydney wrestling club, of which he is a member.