Steven Moneghetti, chef de mission of Australia, termed the behaviour of compatriot grappler Hassene Fkiri as "unacceptable" and supported the decision to strip him of a Delhi Commonwealth Games silver medal in the 96kg Greco-Roman category.
The Australian Commonwealth Games Association held meetings following Fkiri's behaviour during the gold medal bout against India's Anil Kumar on Tuesday, during which the Australian made an indecent gesture.
"I would describe his actions as unacceptable for an Australian sportsperson representing their country in international competition. Publicly, it didn't look good," Moneghetti was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press (AAP).
"It's very embarrassing because he's disappointed himself, his family, wrestling, but overall, he's disappointed the Australian Commonwealth Games team. It was well within our rights to instantly dismiss him from the team and send him home," Moneghetti added.
During the bout, Fkiri was cautioned thrice by the umpire for dangerous play. The Australian repeated the mistake again, forcing the umpire to disqualify him and asked to leave the mat.
But while leaving, Fkiri showed the middle finger to his opponent and the judges which eventually cost him his silver medal.
Instead, Fkiri will have to apologise to the match referee and competition manager in person on Thursday.
He will now be confined to the Athletes' Village until the end of the Games and has to assist his teammates with their competition preparations, the report said.
After his return to Australia, he will conduct a weekly one-hour training session for 12 months with the juniors of the Sydney wrestling club of which he is a member, it added.
