"England were a***-raped by Australia" - Graeme Swann's inappropriate comment creates furore

Graeme Swann

Graeme Swann found out Social Media was a two edged sword, following his repulsive comments on Facebook on the Ashes loss his team suffered in Perth recently, resulting in Australia regaining the precious urn.

The spinner’s brother had written that he saw English band Shed Seven in Northampton. Swann replied, saying, “Rather have been there than being a***-raped in Perth.”

As expected, the comment went viral soon after it was posted, and caught the attention of rape charities, who did not hold back in expressing their displeasure. Chief executive of the rape crisis charity, Yvonne Traynor, remarked, the cricketer must know better and has called for an immediate apology.

Condemning the comment, he said, “We are appalled that Graeme Swann equates a cricket match with the devastatingly serious crime of rape. These comments lack compassion and intelligence and he should apologise to anyone who has suffered from this heinous crime.”

The Englishman has since come out and issued an apology on Twitter.

He said, “Sorry to anyone who was offended by my comments in the papers today. Crass and thoughtless of me in the extreme,”

This comes as scant consolation, as the damage might have already been done.