On Tuesday, Hawthorn Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson publicly apologised to Nine journalist Tony Jones for a threatening comment he made during a post-match press conference. The incident occurred after the Hawks’ loss to the Sydney Swans on Saturday, when Clarkson was asked about the team’s performance. In response, Clarkson said to Jones, “Don’t you ever ask me a question like that again or I’ll come down and punch you in the face.”
Clarkson’s comment was widely condemned by the media and public, with many calling for him to be disciplined by the AFL. On Tuesday, Clarkson issued an apology to Jones and the wider media community. “I want to unreservedly apologise for my comments on Saturday night,” he said. “I understand that my words were inappropriate and I regret that I spoke in such a way. I have enormous respect for the media and the important role they play in our game.”
The AFL has since announced that Clarkson will receive a formal warning for his behaviour. The league said in a statement that it “takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or intimidation of media personnel” and that it “will not tolerate any behaviour which is not in line with the values of the game.”
Clarkson’s apology has been welcomed by many in the media, including Jones himself. “I accept Alastair’s apology and I am glad this matter has been resolved,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to cover Hawthorn and the AFL in a professional manner.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the need for all involved in the AFL to maintain a respectful attitude towards media personnel. While coaches and players may be frustrated after a loss, it is important that they remain professional and refrain from making threatening comments.
