Oscars organisers claim Will Smith was asked to leave the Academy Awards following his altercation with Chris Rock, but he refused, and by doing so broke the code of conduct.
Will, 53, made headlines in recent days after he slapped Chris around the face following a joke he made about the Men in Black actor's wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Comic Chris joked about Jada - who has alopecia - and her shaved head.
This prompted Will to stride onto the stage and slap him across the face in front of a huge star-studded audience.
Chris said he will not press charges against Will.
Now, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have said they did ask Will to leave the ceremony - but he refused to.
The organisation said in a statement: "Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated.
"While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."
Many people asked why Will was able to remain seated in the audience after the slap, but it appears the academy has set the records straight.
The academy's board of governors met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the actor for violations against the group's standards of conduct.
Organisers said he has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
The academy said disciplinary action for Will could include suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.
"Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television," the academy said.
"Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment.
"We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event."
Will issued an apology on Tuesday.
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," he began.
“Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Will explained.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness,” he continued.
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” he added.
“I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” he concluded.
“I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will.”.
