North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has been handed a $20,000 fine and suspended two-match ban until the end of the 2025 AFL season by the AFL for his fiery exchange with St Kilda players.
It came in the aftermath of Jimmy Webster’s sickening hit on Kangaroos co-captain Jy Simpkin in last week’s practice match – that resulted in a seven-match ban – after Clarkson teed off at several Saints players at the quarter-time huddle including Webster and Dougal Howard
Clarkson earlier this week apologised to Webster and St Kilda for his “inappropriate” expletive laden spray – in which he reportedly used the slur c***sucker – in a heated moment caught on camera.
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The suspended sentence of his two-man ban means it’ll take effect in the event of another breach.
The AFL confirmed the North Melbourne coach’s sanction on Friday afternoon, which includes him attending Pride in Sport training. The fine meanwhile won’t come out of the Kangaroos’ soft cap.
“Alastair’s conduct does not represent behaviour acceptable to anyone in our game and not what is expected of a senior coach, especially someone of Alastair’s experience,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.
“While we understand there are emotions attached to the heat of the contest, engaging with an opposition player during the quarter time break and then using language that is both unacceptable and highly inappropriate is something the AFL does not want in the game.”
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