Clarkson sorry for ump disgrace comment

ALASTAIR Clarkson has conceded his criticism of umpires might “cost me” after he labelled the officials as “disgraceful” on Saturday.

It is understood the league will consider a potential penalty for Clarkson at today’s football operations meeting.

His unreserved apology to the AFL and umpires department on Fox Footy yesterday will be taken into account by footy boss Simon Lethlean. But Clarkson has a trio of priors at AFL and suburban level involving criticism of umpires.

The AFL fined North Melbourne $80,000 last year for inferring umpiring bias and James Hird $20,000 for labelling an umpire’s performance as “disgraceful”.

Clarkson said yesterday he had chosen a poor word as he tried to avoid discussing a 50m penalty that saw Gold Coast seal a win.

“I am not able to comment on disgraceful umpiring . . . so I am better off not saying anything,’’ he said on Saturday.

In other news, Clarkson revealed yesterday Jaeger O’Meara would not appear after the bye, still hampered by a knee injury that flares under heavy training.

Hawk Kaiden Brand had been pulled back from the side of the mark by an umpire then as the official yelled, “hold, hold”, he took four or five steps towards Ben Ainsworth.

“I am at the liberty of the AFL. I know my comments were out of whack,’’ Clarkson said.

“But I was trying to bow out of the conversation rather than tip into it and I just used one word what was inappropriate and it will cost me, I think.

“It was a poor choice of words. I got a question and in no way was I trying to tarnish the umpires, but I got caught up in the emotion of the game and that decision only happened 15 minutes earlier.

“I apologise to the umps and also to the AFL. It’s an emotional game and I got caught up in it. I will speak to the (umpires) department tomorrow but it’s an unreserved apology from my behalf.”

An AFL spokesman said yesterday the comments would be discussed at the league’s football operations meeting this morning.

It is understood a prompt apology will help Clarkson’s case but given his long list of priors he could lose the benefit of the doubt.

In 2006 Clarkson was handed a suspended $5000 fine for approaching umpires Scott McLaren and Kieron Nicholls on a flight back from Perth.

He asked for an explanation over several decisions, saying later: “I was a peanut — as simple as that. I knew the rules and I went against it. It won’t happen again.”

In 2008 he was fined $5000 after attacking umpire Justin Schmitt, who wore No.17 on his shirt in a loss to Geelong.

“He’s a good player for the Cats, that No.17, wasn’t he? He’s a ripper,” Clarkson said.

In 2012 he received a fourweek suspension from the South Metro Junior Football League for swearing at an umpire’s adviser during his son’s football match.