Kane Cornes is satisfied with the AFL’s decision to not sanction North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.
The league has stated they were unable to determine whether Clarkson’s poor language was directed at a match official.
The AFL interviewed a security guard who witnessed the incident who claimed the language was directed towards the bench of match officials, but this claim could not be substantiated.
Cornes has labelled the incident a “storm in a teacup”, saying not everything is requires a sanction.
“I’m happy that he has been cleared,” Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.
“I mean, goodness me. If people were suspended for using poor language on the interchange bench, no one would be coaching.
“Look at the language that I am sure they’re using in the coaches box. Just because one of them is sitting on the bench showing some frustration.
“I couldn’t believe the overreaction to this. If he’s gone up to someone in their face and aggressively sworn at them, different story. Throw the book at him.
“If he’s just said it in frustration and not directed at anybody in particular – that’s been happening in football for 100 years. How soft are we going to get if you can’t handle that?
“I’m so glad the AFL have done this, and I’ve been hard on Clarkson, I think it’s the right call.”
North Melbourne and Clarkson are on bye this weekend and have endured a tough start to season 2024, winless to date.