Piers Morgan slammed for claiming Ben Stokes break due to mental health is different from Olympic star Simone Biles
PIERS MORGAN has been slammed after he refused to criticise Ben Stokes for pulling out of England’s squad despite his fierce criticism of Simone Biles withdrawing from Olympic events.
The 30-year-old cricketer has announced he is taking an indefinite break to focus on his mental health.
That has ruled him out of England’s Test series with India.
That announcement was made just days after USA gymnastics star Biles bowed out from the women’s team final at Tokyo 2020 after one rotation.
She cited mental health concerns herself and withdrew from two further events.
That decision was described as a ‘joke’ by controversial Morgan – but the ex-Good Morning Britain TV presenter insists Stokes does not deserve any criticism.
He was asked by one of his Twitter followers whether he would accuse Stokes of letting down his teammates, his fans and his country.
Morgan responded: “If he (Stokes) quit in the middle of a Test match with no physical injury, leaving his teammates in the lurch like Simon Biles did, & complained he wasn’t having enough ‘fun’, then I would have said that.
“Especially if he had GOAT (greatest of all time) embroidered on his shirt. But he didn’t. So I didn’t.”
He also suggested that Stokes’ withdrawal was more valid than the American’s as he is suffering with an injury to his left index finger.
Morgan tweeted: “And due to a busted finger.. I’m sure Ben Stokes wouldn’t call his decision to pull out of the massive India Test series ‘tremendously courageous’, ‘inspiring’ or ‘heroic’, as some are saying. Nor would I.
“England will be weaker without him & I hope he’s back for the Ashes.”
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However, Morgan’s decision to slam Biles but stick up for Stokes led to him being accused of picking on the gymnast due to her skin colour and sex by one BBC sport correspondent.
But the furious 56-year-old hit back, tweeting: “Are BBC sports correspondents allowed to engage in such disgraceful race-baiting?
“I never criticise people based on their skin colour – shame on you for suggesting I do.”
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