'The Academy condemns the actions of Will Smith at last night's show'

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has launched a formal review following Will Smiths assault on Chris Rock at Sundays Oscars ceremonyThe Academy condemns the actions of Smith at last nights show a spokesperson for the organisation saidWe have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws Standards of Conduct and California lawIt appears that Smith may face some type of disciplinary action or sanction though its unlikely he will be made to forfeit his prize In its official standards of conduct the Academy states it is categorically opposed to any form of abuseThe Academys full Board of Governors will meet Wednesday night and is expected to discuss the incident the Hollywood Reporter confirmedSmith who was named best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard had his big night marred by his outburst After Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smiths close cropped haircut referencing GI Jane Smith charged the stage and slapped RockHe then screamed at Rock to leave my wifes name out of your fing mouth Pinkett Smith has said her hair loss results from alopeciaWhen Smith assaulted presenter Chris Rock during the Academy Awards television history was made as was the collective undoing of Hollywood decorumBut why wasnt Smith ejected from the ceremony for the internationally televised incidentShock for starters numerous sources close to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts amp Sciences told VarietyIts evident from social media accounts and wide reports from inside the telecast that many attendees were dumbfounded by the act unsure if it was a bit between the two famous men or an intentional attackAdjacent to Hollywoods Dolby Theatre in the Lowes Hotel on site at the annual Governors Ball postreception Academy leadership convened to discuss protocol one insider said The Academy is a nonprofit organisation ruled by bylaws and sources say there appear to be no provisions addressing openhand smacking across the face on the live showEscorting Smith out of the ceremony was discussed the source said though by the time any substantive scenarios were imagined he had already been called up to the podium to accept an Oscar for his turn in King RichardAnother person close to the event pointed out that show producers did not want the optics of having security remove a beloved movie star from his seat especially as Smith supporters highlighted the defence of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith Rocks joke about her bald head invoked reference to Pinkett Smiths open struggle with alopeciaThe source indicated Rocks joke was off the cuff and not included in the script fed to him on telepromptersWhen Smith accepted his honour he tearfully apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees though he failed to mention Rock by nameThe Academy is expected to address the scandal as early as Monday evening and it would not be surprising to see Smiths membership in the prestigious body come under some form of review Smith may also offer up another apology It appears that Smith may face some kind of sanction though theres no indication his Oscar will be revokedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever