The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently revealed that it asked Will Smith to leave the Oscars ceremony on Sunday. However, he “refused” to do so even after slapping Chris Rock on stage.

BBC released a report on the matter after the organization made an announcement. As stated, the board of governors met on Wednesday afternoon before publishing an official statement regarding its next course of action.

The Academy, also, said that it, also, recognizes they “could have handled the situation differently.” This came after the “King Richard” actor was still able to accept his award and deliver his acceptance speech for winning the Best Actor gong.

In the same announcement, the organization noted that it had “initiated disciplinary proceedings against [Will Smith] for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct.” As the publication pointed out, these include “inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.”

As for the specific action that it will take, it may include “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions.” The announcement will likely emerge after the next board meeting on April 19.

The Academy, also, issued a direct apology to Chris Rock. It reads, “We apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment.”

It apologized, as well, to the “nominees, guests, and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”

Elsewhere in the announcement, the Academy acknowledged that the actions of Smith “were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television.”

One of the hosts of the Oscars, Wanda Sykes, recently told Ellen DeGeneres for its April 7 interview what she felt after seeing Will Smith slap Chris Rock on stage. ABC News said that the actress “is angry” that the “King Richard” star “was permitted to stay and collect his award.”

The “Monster-In-Law” star, also, rhetorically asked “how gross” was that, adding that it sent a “wrong message.” She explained that when one assaults somebody, they should be escorted out of the building, “and that is it.”

Sykes, then, emphasized that she thought “it was gross.” She told the host that she “wanted to be able to run out [on stage] after [Smith] won and say, ‘Unfortunately, Will [Smith] could not be here tonight.’”

Overall, the Oscars co-host revealed that she “felt so awful” for Chris Rock, whom she referred to as her friend. She, also, described the incident as “sickening,” adding that she felt “ill” and “still a little traumatized by it.”