Australia Test skipper Steve Waugh threw his weight behind embattled fellow cricketer Shane Warne and urged fans not to make their judgement without knowing the full facts.
While extending his support to Warne and his family, Waugh claimed that "enemies in the media" are trying to wreck the champion leg-spinner.
"I am part of the cricket side and we have some loyalty to each other... I feel for Shane and what's happened," said Waugh.
The skipper's backing comes amid reports that the teammates of Warne, accused of making lewd calls to a South African woman, were losing out on their patience and were fed up with his off-field indiscretions.
"He's human, he makes mistakes and I think he pays for them pretty heavily. I certainly support Shane and his family," Waugh was quoted as saying in The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday.
"It's a tough time, a lot of people are sort of kicking the boot in right now and a lot of his enemies in the media are having a crack at him. As a teammate I feel sorry for him and what's happened, particularly his family," he said.
Waugh said the latest controversy was a personal issue for Warne, currently serving a 12-month drug ban from international cricket, and his family to deal with and he should not be judged until he gives his side of the story.
The skipper also said instead of prying into one's private life, the media should concentrate on more major issues.
"There are much more major issues going on around the world which you would like to see get equal status in the papers but that's not the way of the world these days and it's a big story and we've just got to deal with it the best way we can," Waugh said.
"I don't know the full story, I'm sure you guys don't know it either so you've got to give the guy a fair chance and let him have his say and when he does that, respect what he says and then make a judgement from there.
"But I think a lot of people have made their judgement before they know the facts," he said.
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