North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson is under investigation by the AFL for allegedly directing “vile language” towards the umpires bench during Saturday’s loss to Port Adelaide.
Channel 9’s Tom Morris on Wednesday night first reported the fresh claim against the Kangaroos coach, which has since been confirmed by the league.
It comes after Clarkson earlier this year was handed a $20,000 fine and suspended two-match ban for a homophobic slur at St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster after a high-hit on North captain Jy Simpkin.
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It means if found guilty over the new allegations from the weekend, the 56-year old faces a two-man ban in North’s upcoming clashes against West Coast and Collingwood after the club’s bye.
“Clarkson was incensed by an umpiring decision ion the second half an shouted a profanity,” Morris said on 9News.
“It is accepted those close to the situation that the four-time premiership coach used vile language which was audible to official nearby.
“But what the league’s investigation will uncover was whether he shouted it towards the bench of AFL match officials or not.
“The results of this could be career defining for Clarkson, whose rap sheet includes 12 demeanours for varying degrees since 2006.”
Chief Herald Sun reporter Mark Robinson on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 shed further light on the matter.
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“There’s no denying he used two words, we’re not going to repeat them here. They’re two of the worst words you can use in the English language,” Robinson said.
“My understanding is Clarkson heard those words but didn’t direct them at anyone. There was only a small crowd there, it’s been heard and Clarkson hasn’t denied using those words.
“But he’s told people that he didn’t direct them at anybody. The AFL is trying to further establish that as we speak.”
Robinson added that irrespective of whether or not Clarkson directed it at the umpires, the AFL still faces a decision around whether it bans the Roos coach or not given his track record and standing in the game.
“Does the use of those two word in a audible situation by a man who’s got a two-week suspended sentence over his head, is that worth acting on the two-week suspension?,” Robinson posed.
“The AFL can’t walk past that … they represent a big community in Australia and once again Clarkson, who’s as high profile as any person in this game, finds himself in headlines he doesn’t want nor the AFL.”
Reports last month claimed Clarkson had yet to undergo any education for the pre-season exchange with St Kilda players.
MORE TO COME.