Former Test cricketer Rodney Hogg's anti-Muslim slur on Twitter was ''more than despicable, it's the pits really'', the leader of an Islamic group said yesterday.
Hogg is embroiled in a racial controversy after an ill-advised attempt at humour on Australia Day.
''Just put out my Aussie flag for Australia Day, but I wasn't sure if it would offend Muslims ... So I wrote 'Allah is a shit' on it to make sure,'' Hogg tweeted at noon yesterday.
Hogg later tweeted, ''Bad attempted Australian humour, sorry if I offended you.''
When that explanation was also met with angry responses, Hogg tweeted, ''My sincere apologies to the Muslim community. A stupid tweet by me in very bad taste.''
But he declined a request from Fairfax for an interview, tweeting, ''Very bad attempted Aussie humour. My apologies for offending. that is all I wld like to say.''
The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ikebal Patel, said the remark was ''absolutely despicable'' for a person like Hogg, who played against Pakistan during his international career.
''For him to say such things is more than despicable, it's the pits really,'' Mr Patel said.
''It's not at all humorous. If that's the level of his humour, then God help him.''
Mr Patel said Hogg, 60, had tarnished his on-field achievements.
''I'm very disappointed that I paid money to watch him now,'' Mr Patel said.
The tweet, which was deleted mid-afternoon, sparked a flurry of responses.
''@RMHogg that is a disgraceful thing to say. I hope @Uz-Khawaja sees this,'' replied jeffrey-gabriel, referring to Usman Khawaja - the first Muslim cricketer to wear the baggy green.
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