Clarkson under AFL investigation for 'vile language'

The AFL is investigating Alastair Clarkson following an incident on Saturday during North Melbourne’s loss to Port Adelaide.

9News Melbourne can reveal Clarkson used vile language in a manner which was heard by those on and around the umpires bench.

The AFL investigation will determine whether he said it towards the umpires, or simply up in the air.

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North Melbourne declined to comment. If found guilty, Clarkson is facing at least a two-week suspension.

The two-week ban is a suspended sentence, that was ahnded to Clarkson on the eve of the 2024 season.

Clarkson verbally attacked a number of St Kilda players in the aftermath of Jimmy Webster levelling Kangaroos captain Jye Simpkin during a practice game in February.

He was slapped with a two-match wholly suspended sanction alongside a $20,000 fine for his behaviour.

It’s not the first time the polarising coach has come under fire in his career, however.

Clarkson’s history as a coach has been full of shocking acts, mainly from his time in charge at Hawthorn, where he won four premierships in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Back in 2006, he was slapped with a $5000 suspended fine for confronting umpires on a flight, with vision from a game.

Clarkson has also abused former AFL CEO Gil McLachlan back in 2010, before that also hurling abuse towards retired Essendon great Matthew Lloyd.

In 2012, he smacked a hole in the wall of a coaching box at the MCG. He was forced to pay the $800 repair bill.

Following that incident, he was suspended from the South Metro Junior Football League in Melbourne for four weeks, after he hurled abuse towards an umpire during an Under 9s game.

Flashforward to 2023, where Clarkson threatened a 9News Melbourne journalist during a routine, stating “your time will come”.

He later apologised.

Most recently, Caroline Wilson revealed that Clarkson is yet to go through any of his required homophobia education prescribed to him by the league after his pre season comments.

“Clarkson is yet to undergo any form of education in this space,” she said on Nine’s Footy Classified earlier in May.

The AFL is yet to make a formal call on Clarkson’s punishment – if any.

It will depend on the findings of the investigation.