Australian cricketer James Faulkner, best known for his exploits in the limited overs format of the game, sparked widespread speculation he is in a same-sex relationship on social media before Cricket Australia confirmed the post had been misinterpreted.
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The 29-year-old wrote on an Instagram post he was having "dinner with the boyfriend" and adding a hashtag of "together for five years" alongside a photograph of his mother and Rob Jubb.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said on Tuesday that Faulkner's post had been "misinterpreted", adding that "the person he is posing with is his business partner".
So far the post has drawn more than 18,000 likes and over 800 comments, with plenty of followers believing the post was a declaration that he was gay, including some other cricketers.
"Happy birthday mate! Great courage," fellow cricketer Glenn Maxwell wrote on the post followed by the 'clapping hands' emoji.
Former Australian Test fast bowler Shaun Tait also posted: "Great courage mate, bet u feel better."
The post has also garnered some negative and homophobic comments, but they are far outweighed by the messages of support.
"Truly sorry on behalf of all the homophobes here. Don't pay any attention to them! Take care! Have a beautiful life," posted someone with the username Dazzlingpalls, adding the hashtag LoveIsLove.
More to come
- SMH/The Age
