England cricketer Graeme Swann sparked outrage today after he said being defeated in the Ashes was like being a*** raped.
The spin bowler made the controversial remarks during a conversation with his brother Alec on Facebook just hours after crashing to the embarrassing defeat against the Aussies.
On Tuesday Alec updated his profile – which is publicly accessible to anyone – saying how he had enjoyed a night out watching Shed Seven at the Roadmender gig venue, in Northampton.
Two hours later Swann, 34, responded on the thread and said: “Rather have been there than being a*** raped in Perth!”
Yesterday rape charities criticised the Nottinghamshire player for his “appalling” actions and urged him to apologise for the comments.
Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of the Rape Crisis charity, said: “We are appalled that Graeme Swann equates a cricket match with the devastatingly serious crime of rape.
“It is the duty of a people in the public eye to make sure that their own distorted views are kept to themselves and not shared with the general public.
“These comments lack compassion and intelligence and he should apologise to anyone who has suffered from this heinous crime.”
Following the comment – which has attracted seven “likes” – one pal replies saying “Bad luck In Oz Swann Dog…….pool and beer sounds in order?”
To which Swann replied: “Twelve pints and a game of darts more like.”
Other cricket fans have accused the bowler of trivialising the defeat and lacking professionalism following England’s dismal test series.
Plasterer Don Smith, 60, who is currently in Australia to watch the Ashes tour, said: “We’ve spent our hard earned money flying out here and not only have they rolled over and let the Aussie’s trounce them, some players are joking about it.
“And not only that, the choice of words is disgusting. There is nothing funny about rape and to use those words in such a flippant manner is disgraceful.
“Then to say he is going to have 12 pints just makes it sound if they are enjoying a holiday out here.”
Fan Bob Peters, 56, from Walsall, West Mids.,added: “It just isn’t funny, I was horrified when I saw those comments.”
On Tuesday Australia regained the Ashes after four years by subjecting England to a humiliating 150 run defeat.
It puts Australia 3-0 up in the series with two tests still to play in Melbourne and Sydney.
Swann has so far put in a lacklustre performance so far coming in for punishment from the Aussies who attacked him to the tune of 80 runs for each of his seven wickets.
On Tuesday evening cricket legend Bob Willis called for Swann to be axed from the England squad.
