<p>Former Australian cricketer Rodney Hogg found himself in the middle of a controversy over an offensive tweet about Muslims which was described as ''more than despicable'' by the leader of an Islamic group.<br /><br />The former fast bowler, who claimed 123 wickets in his six-year-old career of 38 Tests for Australia, had taken a potshot at the Muslims today and later had to apologise for his offending comments.<br /><br />"Just put out my Aussie flag for Australia Day but I wasn't sure if it would offend Muslims... So I wrote 'Allah is a shit' on it to make sure," Hogg tweeted at about noon today.<br /><br />The 60-year-old was forced to apologise twice on Twitter after his initial explanation drew flak and was deleted after several hours.<br /><br />According to 'Sydney Morning Herald', Hogg did not return calls from the media but tendered his apologies through a text message.<br /><br />"Very bad attempted Aussie humour. My apologies for offending. that is all I wld like to say."<br />A similar explanation on Twitter outraged many users and prompted a second apology.<br />"My sincere apologies to the Muslim community. A stupid tweet by me in very bad taste," Hogg tweeted.<br /><br />Outraged at the tweet, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils President Ikebal Patel said, "For him to say such things is more than despicable, it's the pits really.<br /><br />"It's not at all humorous. If that's the level of his humour then God help him."<br />Patel, an Australia Day ambassador last year, said Hogg had tarnished his on-field achievements.<br /><br />"I'm very disappointed that I paid money to watch him now," Patel said.</p>
<p>Former Australian cricketer Rodney Hogg found himself in the middle of a controversy over an offensive tweet about Muslims which was described as ''more than despicable'' by the leader of an Islamic group.<br /><br />The former fast bowler, who claimed 123 wickets in his six-year-old career of 38 Tests for Australia, had taken a potshot at the Muslims today and later had to apologise for his offending comments.<br /><br />"Just put out my Aussie flag for Australia Day but I wasn't sure if it would offend Muslims... So I wrote 'Allah is a shit' on it to make sure," Hogg tweeted at about noon today.<br /><br />The 60-year-old was forced to apologise twice on Twitter after his initial explanation drew flak and was deleted after several hours.<br /><br />According to 'Sydney Morning Herald', Hogg did not return calls from the media but tendered his apologies through a text message.<br /><br />"Very bad attempted Aussie humour. My apologies for offending. that is all I wld like to say."<br />A similar explanation on Twitter outraged many users and prompted a second apology.<br />"My sincere apologies to the Muslim community. A stupid tweet by me in very bad taste," Hogg tweeted.<br /><br />Outraged at the tweet, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils President Ikebal Patel said, "For him to say such things is more than despicable, it's the pits really.<br /><br />"It's not at all humorous. If that's the level of his humour then God help him."<br />Patel, an Australia Day ambassador last year, said Hogg had tarnished his on-field achievements.<br /><br />"I'm very disappointed that I paid money to watch him now," Patel said.</p>