Johannesburg - Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has described his estranged wife’s social media rants as “untrue accusations, deliberate attempts to obfuscate the facts” and a bid to sway public opinion.
Speaking to The Star through his agent on Monday, the batsman said the public comments made by Irish pop star and soon-to-be ex-wife Morgan Deane were harmful to his two young children.
They also violate an agreement reached by both their attorneys, preventing her from airing the couple’s dirty laundry in favour of protecting their children.
“Morgan must account for her own behaviour in breaking agreements, posting false information and attempting to sway public opinion. I will continue to focus on my children’s happiness and wellbeing.”
On Friday, the cricketer’s estranged wife took to Twitter to paint a picture of a marriage ridden with infidelity and an alleged lack of financial responsibility.
“Young girls NEED to understand. THIS is what can happen if u go to a foreign country for a man & have ur babies there,” Deane tweeted.
She said she had left Ireland to move to South Africa and start a family with the batsman, and that within just two years, she had had a miscarriage and two children.
Deane said Smith left her a day after Christmas and had an affair, and she was now forced to have limited time with her children as Smith has been granted permission to spend three nights a week with them.
“A national hero. I will be stuck in South Africa away from my family, alone without my babies 3 days/3 nights every week until we get into court,” she tweeted.
Smith said the custodial decision was made in accordance with a neutral psychologist’s report.
“The latest series of postings on social media are in reaction to a detailed psychologist’s report – to which we both and our respective attorneys agreed – the recommendations of which were recently provided to us,” he said.
“Morgan appears not to like the contents of this report or its recommendations.”
Deane’s allegations caught the attention of Brett Soulman, who defended Smith and tweeted: “Last time I checked, the passports were with a 3rd party lawyer as agreed by both parties… If u gonna go public at least tell the truth!”
The Irish pop star hit back and tweeted: “Brett, they’re with a 3rd party lawyer now after G (Graeme) stole them for months. Where’s the lie there?
“Let’s talk about Graeme not paying our water rates in the house, having it cut off and me having to bring the babies to friends for baths!”
She then accused Smith of appearing “dignified in the public when he has friends like u guys to bully his ex-wife”.
Smith once again retaliated, saying “any attempts from anyone to call her on what she has said are met with accusations of bullying”.