Crown Hotels have ‘unreservedly apologised’ to Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli after a cleaning contractor and their employees allegedly filmed themselves in his hotel room in Perth.
The team of cleaners have been stood down and removed by Crown after the breach a ‘paranoid’ Kohli labelled on Instagram a disturbing example of ‘fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy.’
Kohli also questioned his safety as he takes part in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Crown Resorts have since issued a grovelling statement, expressing their disappointment at the major security breach.
‘The safety and privacy of our guests is our number one priority, and we are incredibly disappointed this incident has occurred,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We unreservedly apologise to the guest involved and will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure this remains an isolated incident.
Cleaning contractors with video from inside the hotel room where Indian cricketing superstar Virat Kohli was staying in Perth
‘We have zero tolerance for this behaviour, and it falls well below the standards we set for our team members and contractors.
‘Crown took immediate steps to rectify the issue, including launching an investigation, standing down the individuals involved and removing them from the Crown account. The original video was also swiftly removed from the social media platform.
‘We are also co-operating with the Indian cricket team and the International Cricket Council to convey our apologies and will continue to work with them as we progress our investigation.’
The shocking incident unfolded in Kohli’s hotel room before the T20 World Cup when the Indian team was based in Perth for warm-up matches against the WA XI at the WACA earlier this month, the West Australian reports.
The incident also comes just days after the Indian cricket team complained about food being served to players during the tournament.
The team of cleaners in Perth have been stood down and removed by Crown after the breach a ‘paranoid’ Kohli labelled on Instagram a disturbing example of ‘fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy’
The shocking video from Kohli’s private hotel room revealed suitcases brimming with Indian cricket uniforms and other forms of clothing
The hotel room video, which has no sound, shows a close-up view of Kohli’s personal items laid out on a table next to his made bed.
The camera pans the neatly arranged room, showing several pairs of shoes lined up against a wall and a suitcase packed with batsman’s uniforms before zooming in on his toiletries, medicines and supplements.
The sticky-beak peers into the immaculate bathroom and then opens the mirrored cupboard door but shuts it quickly once seeing the only things inside are a standard hotel-issue iron and safe.
At least two to three people can be seen in the room all wearing black shoes, well-pressed grey suits and white formal shirts similar to those worn by Perth Crown hotel staff, where the Indian team stayed for Sunday night’s clash against South Africa.
‘I understand that fans get very happy and excited seeing their favourite players and get excited to meet them and I’ve always appreciated that,’ Kohli told his Instagram followers.
‘But this video here is appalling and it’s made me feel very paranoid about my privacy.
The video zoomed in on Kohli’s bathroom and personal medical supplies as it panned around his room
Kohli’s vast number of shoes were impeccably lined up against one of the hotel rooms walls as revealed by the video
‘If I cannot have privacy in my own hotel room, then where can I really expect any personal space at all??
‘I’m NOT okay with this kind of fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy. Please respect people’s privacy and not treat them as a commodity for entertainment.’
Earlier Kohli’s brother, Vikas, identified Crown Perth as the hotel where the incident took place.
‘This is really very unprofessional, I’m assuming it must be the hotel staff only, if its some other fans its a total disaster from the hotel management,’ he wrote.
‘WHERE IS THE SECURITY AND PRIVACY OF THE GUEST…this is very alarming @crownperth.
Kohli, here pictured with his Bollywood star wife Anushka Sharma, has condemned the ‘appalling’ breach of his privacy
Australian batsman David Warner also called out the breach.
‘This is ridiculous, totally unacceptable,’ he wrote. ‘Was this @crownperth’
Bollywood mega star Varun Dhawan, who is one of the highest paid actors in the Indian film industry, also registered his disgust.
‘Horrible behaviour,’ he wrote.
Earlier in the week, Kohli thanked Crown Perth staff for their ‘amazing hospitality and service.’
Australian batsman David Warner also called the apparent breach ‘totally unacceptable’
Hotel intrusions aren’t the only thing to ruffle the feathers of Indian players on Australian shores.
On Monday, Indian players, reportedly led by team captain Rohit Sharma, boycotted a lunch.
The food said to be cold and not substantial enough following a practice session in Sydney.
‘The food was not up to the mark. We can’t have a sandwich after a practice session,’ The Indian Express quoted an Indian player as saying.
The late lunch offered a ‘make your own sandwich’ option along with falafel and fruits.
It was reported the Indian squad made their dissatisfaction known to a Sydney Cricket Ground official.
Kohli’s brother Vikas has accused Perth Crown hotel, where the Indian players stayed over the weekend, of allowing the ‘total disaster’
More Stories
Alex Carey hits teammate Todd Murphy with an icy snub at the fifth Ashes Test – leaving cricket fans stunned: ‘They must take it in turns to take his lunch money’
Steve Smith sends James Anderson a very cheeky message as Aussies form Ashes guard of honour for retiring England great Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad becomes the second player to hit his final ball in Test cricket for six as Usman Khawaja becomes leading run-scorer in the series