‘It was pathetic’: social media reacts negatively to David Warner’s public apology

Social media is crawling over David Warner’s recent #SandpaperGate press conference, with the majority of online commentators taking a scathing view of the cricketer’s seeming non-apology.

‘David Warner sidestepping questions about the involvement of others in the ball-tampering saga,’ posted Twitter user Jonathan Agnew, concisely summarising the element of Warner’s interview that most viewers apparently took issue with.

Warner continually evaded the media’s relentless questions about other people’s involvement in the scandal, repeating: ‘I’m here to take responsibility for my part in what happened.’

Warner gave an emotional display in a similar vein to that of Steve Smith – but social media commentators are calling them ‘crocodile tears’ in Warner’s case

The majority of the social media reaction to the press conference has been negative

‘That #Warner press conference was pathetic’ tweeted Australian pop star Guy Sebastian.

‘Smithy jumped on a grenade while Warner purposely chose to avoid answers in order to implicate others and relieve ‘his part’ in it all. I sniff a paid tell all’.

Others alleged the Warner’s emotional displays were fabricated for the sake of PR, with many claiming the cricketer’s tears were forced and insincere.

‘Sorry to be harsh but does anyone think these tears from David Warner are crocodile tears after Steve Smith’s tears from his press conference?? … I’m just not buying it,’ tweeted one sceptic.

Another suggested that ‘Steve Smith is taking the fallout for Warner. He looks truly devastated.’

Many people are accusing Warner of faking his emotions as a PR stunt

A common thread throughout the online conversation is that Warner’s performance was shallow and unconvincing