AFL boss issues ‘please explain’ to Clarkson over alleged homophobic slur aimed at Saints player

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson must clarify himself to the AFL over his expletive-laden and “inappropriate” outburst in the direction of St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard.

Clarkson was incensed after Webster’s excessive, late bump on Jy Simpkin in Sunday’s apply match left the Kangaroos co-captain in concussion protocols and the Saints defender with an imminent tribunal listening to.

The coach reportedly used the phrase “c*******er” throughout an change of phrases with Webster and fellow Saints defender Howard at quarter-time.

Clarkson has already apologised, however he has been issued with a “please clarify” from the AFL relating to the change and the alleged homophobic slur.

AFL chief govt Andrew Dillon took a dim view of the incident.

“Senior coaches or officers approaching gamers at breaks in play is not one thing that we wish to see anyway,” Dillon mentioned on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“While you overlay what’s been reported, it is language that Alastair has already come out and mentioned it is inappropriate, it is one thing I do not like, and we do not want it in our sport.

“We do not wish to get forward of the method, so what we do is present a ‘please clarify’ and provides Alastair the chance to return again to us.

“We’ll discuss to St Kilda, and as soon as we have all that info we’ll take a look at that and weigh it towards what our guidelines are after which cope with it that method.”

Clarkson had mentioned he was “deeply disturbed” by the Webster bump on Simpkin, who has a current concussion historical past.

“On the quarter-time break I voiced my displeasure to St Kilda gamers Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard as they made their method to the quarter-time huddle,” he mentioned.

“This was an change that was emotional in defence of our captain, however pointless, and the language I used was inappropriate.

“I’ve reached out to (Saints coach) Ross Lyon and each the St Kilda gamers to apologise.”

Suns counterpart and Clarkson’s shut pal Damien Hardwick mentioned: “Look, Clarko will likely be apologetic.

“The language he used is clearly not on and he accepts that.

“However after they’re your gamers, they’re your boys, they’re like your youngsters. You get very protecting of these guys.

“And that is to not say that you need to overstep the road, however the actuality is now and again we’ll do it.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss understood Clarkson’s protectiveness in the direction of Simpkin.

However he added: “We are able to additionally perceive that that is in all probability just a bit bit too far and we in all probability do must preserve our feelings in test there.”

Clarkson has a prolonged historical past of fiery moments, together with needing to be held again from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd after he broke Hawk Brad Sewell’s cheekbone with a bump in 2009.

He additionally punched by way of the MCG teaching field wall in 2012.

In 2017, he was fined $20,000 by the AFL ($15,000 suspended) after he mentioned he couldn’t touch upon “disgraceful umpiring” in Hawthorn’s loss to Gold Coast.

Final February, he apologised for a heated confrontation with a TV reporter.

In the meantime, Webster is about to throw himself on the mercy of the AFL tribunal as he prepares to just accept no matter heavy ban comes his method for his ugly bump on Simpkin.

Webster, 30, was despatched straight to the tribunal over the excessive, late hit that left North Melbourne co-captain Simpkin in concussion protocols and the Saints have already conceded they will not defend it.

Saints coach Ross Lyon mentioned there was “no defence” for Webster’s actions whereas soccer boss David Misson labelled the incident “out of character”.

The 30-year-old has additionally issued a press release, wishing Simpkin properly in his restoration.

“I deeply remorse my actions in (Sunday’s) sport,” Webster mentioned in a press release.

“I’ve reached out to Jy and can’t understate (sic) my regret.”

AAP