A South African cricketer has been pulled up for allegedly being drunk and misbehaving on a flight from Mumbai to Dubai.
After the conclusion of the India vs South Africa ODI series at Mumbai in October 2015, Aaron Phangiso, South African spinner was traveling from India to South Africa on 26 October after South Africa's ODI series win. The flight was headed from Mumbai to Johannesburg via Dubai.
He was in full team uniform and was clearly intoxicated. It is alleged that he was misbehaving with the air hostesses and other passengers. He wasn't allowed to board the connecting flight.
Emirates Airline personnel refused to allow Phangiso on the next flight to Johannesburg, insisting he take a later flight to sober up. He was almost arrested at the Dubai airport before Cricket South Africa pleaded to let him leave and board a later flight.
"He was clearly drunk, but he just kept drinking. When the flight attendants him later addressed the offensive got it to them and the other passengers," a teammate said.
Another source said "They almost arrested him, but decided to let him just shed its rust they showed his clothing he saw play for South Africa. As far as I know Cricket South Africa (CSA) also they (Emirates) made contact and asked that they shut him."
"It was very humiliating and not the kind of behavior that is supposed Protea players to disclose" the source added.
This is not the first instance that Phangiso was involved in a alcohol related incident. In April 2015 in Soshanguvel he was suspected of driving a stolen vehicle. The police subjected him to a blood test and he was warned and released.
“It’s nothing but a show to the media and public that they (the police) are doing the job by arresting my client, who is a celebrity,” said his advocate Peter Roy Masango.
Haroon Lorgat, CSA chief executive, confirmed that charge. He said "We confirm that Aaron Phangiso confessed after he violated the players' code of conduct. We consider it in a very serious light, especially with regard to our national players.”
"They are important role models for our youth and ambassadors for our country.” he added.
Phangiso is 31 years old. He has played 16 ODIs and has taken 16 wickets in them. He’s also scored 66 runs in ODIs. He also has 13 wickets in 9 T20 International matches.
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