Contrite Clarkson waits on ruling

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 simply chosen a single 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.

Hawk Kaiden Brand had already 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.”