South Africa's star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has issued an apology for not taking a knee and opting out of the T20 World Cup match against West Indies that took place on 26th October. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Kock, on Thursday, issued a statement where he apologetically said that he never wanted to disrespect anyone. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indian team themselves," De Kock said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 28-year-old revealed that he was 'shocked' and 'felt that his rights were taken away' when the team was told to take a knee on the way to the game. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Maybe some people don't understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I felt like my right were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way we were told.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I won't lie, I was shocked that we were told on the way to an important match that there was an instruction that we had to follow."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The wicketkeeper batter revealed that he had an emotional chat with the board the other night for a better understanding which he thought had happened sooner so that the incident could have been avoided. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Since our chat with the board last, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of their intentions as well. I wish this had happened sooner, because what happened on match day could have been avoided."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Kock asserted that he is not a racist. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn't build a better society. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Those who have grown up with me and played with me, know what type of person I am. I've been called a lot of things as a cricketer. But those didn't hurt. Being called a racist because of misunderstanding hurts me deeply." <\/p>\r\n\r\n
de Kock concluded by thanking his teammates and captain Temba Bavuma for the support and would love to play for South Africa again. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba. People might not recognise but he is a flipping amazing leader. <\/p>\r\n\r\n