Faf du Plessis harassed at Adelaide Airport as ‘lollygate’ escalates

Faf du Plessis harassed at Adelaide Airport as ‘lollygate’ escalates

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Faf du Plessis was witness to an ugly incident today at Adelaide Airport after a Channel Nine reporter harassed him over ‘lollygate’ and had to be tackled by a bodyguard. Hashim Amla has once again come to his captain’s defence and said that the media have to "ask with manners n courtesy ".

The incident took place in Adelaide where the two teams will lock horns again for the final Test of the series. A Channel 9 reporter was caught on tape trying to get close to du Plessis in the hopes of getting a comment on the entire issue, but after being asked to get away from the players repeatedly, the reporter was tackled by a bodyguard.

"This is the third incident of a reporter aggressively harassing our players with blatant disrespect of the above-mentioned media protocol," said a statement released by the South African camp, reported Sky Sports.

"The 'reporter' at the airport disrespected us and continued to harass Faf for comment. The 'reporter' was also in the unusual position of being in the middle of the players' walkway to the bus."

"He was advised to move three times, and did not adhere to this request. The 'reporter', who also had no official accreditation, then proceeded to lunge towards Faf with an unknown object causing a direct breach of security protocol."

Former South Africa skipper Hashim Amla tweeted about the incident stating that the press have to be more respectful of players or the players will respond in kind. Du Plessis had to be shielded by a bodyguard as he made his way to the team bus.

South African journalist Neil Manthorp was also critical of his Australian counterparts stating that this kind of behaviour is something that the South African players are not used to.

South Africa will take part in the third and final Test match at Adelaide having already sealed the series at Hobart. The controversy, however, doesn't seem to have a quick end as the South African team has rallied to support their player in the scandal.

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