NZ Cricket and Westpac Stadium management admit they should not have removed a sign promoting sexual consent during the T20 match between New Zealand and India in Wellington.
The sign reading "no means no" was directed specifically at Blackcaps all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn, who twice faced rape charges in 2016-17. The first jury could not reach a decision and a second eventually found him not guilty.
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But his subsequent selection for New Zealand has sparked outrage in some quarters, including this editorial by The Project host Kanoa Lloyd.
The woman holding the banner told Stuff she was escorted out from her Westpac Stadium seat by security, who also tried to confiscate the sign.
"My friends and I were surrounded by multiple security guards," she told Stuff. "It was a very uncomfortable experience."
And NZ Cricket and stadium management have apologised for the incident.
"We agree the course taken was an over-reaction and unnecessary, and the sign certainly wasn't offensive," said NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock.
"The policy is a guideline only and is not written in stone. I think, on this occasion, we should have shown better judgment and exercised more discretion."
Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon agreed and was due to meet with the woman to officially apologise on Thursday.
"In hindsight, this was an over-reaction and we should not have taken that course of action," he told Stuff.
Since the Kuggeleijn trials, NZ Cricket has introduced a sexual harassment and consent workshop for all its professional players.
Newshub.
