# Exposed: The bombshell Sandpapergate claims contained in David Warner’s secret court references months ago… Plus, Rita Panahi’s cosy drinks with a right-minded AFL legend: INSIDE MAIL

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/exposed-the-bombshell-sandpapergate-claims-contained-in-david-warners-secret-court-references-months-ago-plus-rita-panahis-cosy-drinks-with-a-right-minded-afl-legend-inside-mail/
- Published: 2026-11-11T12:59:14+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T13:21:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16276943/david-warner-usman-khawaja-sandpapergate-rita-panahi-paul-dimattina.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Cricket, Sport, World

## Key points

- Khawaja says knowledge of Sandpapergate was more widespread.
- Warner called Khawaja’s account “100 per cent accurate”.
- Erskine reportedly made similar claims in a court reference.

## Summary

Usman Khawaja has alleged that knowledge of the 2018 ball-tampering plan extended beyond the three players punished, and David Warner has publicly backed his account. The claims challenge Cricket Australia’s long-standing finding about who knew of the scheme and have renewed scrutiny of the investigation and the team’s culture.

The article reports that Warner’s manager, James Erskine, made similar claims in a character reference submitted before Warner’s drink-driving sentencing in August. Erskine declined to confirm the reference’s precise wording but said he stood by it and that “more than three people were involved”. The reference has not been made public; Warner was fined $1,500 after being convicted of mid-range drink-driving.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.