Original sentence: This escalated into a diplomatic incident between the countries as the MCC — supported by the British public and still over the opinion that their fast leg theory tactic was harmless — took serious offence at being branded "unsportsmanlike" and demanded a retraction
Edited sentence: This escalated into a diplomatic incident between the countries as the MCC — supported by the British public and still under the impression that their fast leg theory tactic was harmless — took serious offence at being branded "unsportsmanlike" and demanded a retraction