Karl Stefanovic got into a fight with Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough earlier this month – and Channel Nine has steadfastly refused to cover it.
But the network finally broke its silence over the weekend to provide an update on the police investigation into the matter – but made sure no mention was made of today’s host’s involvement.
In Nine’s Sydney Bulletin on Saturday night, Lizzie Pearl reported that Clarke, 41, and Yarbrough, 30, had been hit with fines for “public nuisance”.
Karl Stefanovic (left) got into a fight with Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough earlier this month – and Channel Nine has steadfastly refused to cover it…until now
However, she did not mention that Stefanovic had intervened in the scuffle.
“Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough were fined by police earlier this month for a public stoush in Queensland,” the newsreader said.
“The couple were caught on camera at a park near the Noosa River and are arguing. Police say they have now closed their investigation.’
According to The Australian on Monday, Nine’s newspapers reported on the incident because of its newsworthiness but otherwise refrained from paying more attention to Stefanovic, who is arguably the network’s biggest star.
The network finally broke its silence over the weekend to provide an update on the police investigation into the matter – but made sure the Today host was not mentioned
Over on Nine Entertainment’s radio stations, 3AW breakfast presenter Neil Mitchell didn’t shy away from the issue, and last week unabashedly stood up for Stefanovic while criticizing Clarke’s behavior.
He said the former Test captain was “carrying on like a Bozo Bogan” before sympathizing with “poor old Karl” and absolving him of the blame.
“He’s a trouble magnet, Karl. It wasn’t his fault, he witnessed it all, but he’s a trouble magnet, it just haunts him. Poor old Karl… that’s ugly stuff,” he said.
Speaking in Nine’s Sydney Bulletin on Saturday night, Lizzie Pearl (pictured) reported that Clarke, 41, and Yarbrough, 30, had been slapped with fines for “public nuisance”.
Meanwhile, a source told Woman’s Day that Stefanovic “begged” Nine’s bosses not to air the explosive footage or get his name out there on the network.
“He actually feels relieved that he didn’t come out as a villain in all of this,” added a source.
Meanwhile, Clarke had an awkward return to the airwaves on Monday as he hosted his first Sky Sports Radio show of the year – less than a week after footage of his blazing row with Yarbrough went viral.
At the beginning of the show, the hosts of Big Sports Breakfast briefly mentioned the incident in Noosa – but only to say they would not discuss it.
Clarke’s co-host Gerard Middleton said: “Now of course [there is] tremendous fascination with Clarkey’s life and we hit that square on the head.’
Nine avoided the incident for the most part, but 3AW breakfast presenter Neil Mitchell (pictured) didn’t shy away from the issue and undauntedly stood up for Stefanovic last week
“It’s a private matter that Clarkey has obviously dealt with, a very, very private matter that has unfortunately been made public,” he continued.
“There are many factors at play here and Clarkey made his statement last week and because of all the factors at play we move on to The Big Sports Breakfast this morning.”
Extraordinary footage emerged last Wednesday of a heated argument between Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough while they were on holiday in Noosa.
Meanwhile, Clarke had an awkward return to the airwaves on Monday as he hosted his first radio show of the year – less than a week after footage of his blazing argument with girlfriend Jade Yarbrough went viral. (Pictured with his co-hosts Laurie Daley, L, and Gerard Middleton, R)
In the video, which was shot by a viewer on January 10 and later sold to The Daily Telegraph for $10,000, Yarbrough accused Clarke of cheating on her with his ex, fashion designer Pip Edwards, on December 17.
Others in the group, including Today presenter Stefanovic, his wife Jasmine – Yarbrough’s sister – and famed accountant Anthony Bell tried to defuse the uproar.
Yarbrough and Clarke, who limp in footage after injuring a hamstring, have since been hit with “public nuisance” fines.
In the video, filmed by a viewer on January 10 and sold to The Daily Telegraph for allegedly $10,000, Yarbrough accuses Clarke of cheating on her with Edwards on December 17. (Pictured: Clarke and Yarbrough in Sydney on November 3, 2022 )
A remorseful Clarke has since accepted full responsibility for what happened.
“I am absolutely disappointed that I have brought into this position people I value most in this position. My actions leading up to this altercation were downright shameful and regrettable,” he said.
“I’m devastated that my actions have drawn women of class and integrity and my buddies into this situation.”
Edwards also issued a statement on the night the footage was released.
“It’s not my circus. Once again, Michael in his true nature has not taken responsibility for his actions and I have been openly lied to,” she told Chron Australia.
Others in the group, including Today presenter Karl Stefanovic (left), his wife Jasmine – Yarbrough’s sister – and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell (right) tried to defuse the commotion
Edwards issued a statement the night the footage was released. “It’s not my circus. Once again, Michael in his true nature took no responsibility for his actions and I was blatantly lied to,” she said. (Pictured: Edwards and Clarke in Sydney on October 17, 2020)
MICHAEL CLARKE’S SHIRTLESS MELTDOWN – LINE BY LINE
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke died after a night out with famed accountant Anthony Bell in Noosa on March 10.
This is how the spit unfolded:
Clarke: Honey…
Jade: Am I wrong? Am I fucking wrong? You damn liar. I saw everything, you called her
Clarke: I swear on my life. Baby, baby, belly [Anthony Bell] was at my house. do it to me, do it to me Belly was in the house. Belly was at my house
Clarke: I swear on my life, I swear on my life. You can do it to me, you can do it to me
Jade: You told her… You fucking king keep lying to me
Clarke: No, on my daughter’s life, on my daughter’s life
Jade: You keep lying. You are a piece of shit
Jade: I just spoke to her. What’s wrong with you?
Clarke: No, I didn’t. honey you know what you can hit me, you can hit me
Jade: You fucked her on December 17th
Clarke: That’s not true. That is not true.
Jasmin: Go away with Karl, go with Karl
Jade: I fucking hate you
Clarke: Jade, it’s not fucking true
Clarke: Carlos [Stefanovic], I can tell you now c**t, don’t the fuck go away. She can hit me, but you, you cunt
Jade: You piece of shit
Clarke: Go on, hit me, hit me
Bell: Stop it, stop it.
Clarke: Do it again, do it again. You’re wrong, you’re wrong
Jade: Oh, am I fucking wrong? you fucked her [Clarke’s ex Pip Edwards] on December 17th
Clarke: No, I didn’t
Jade: You fucked her. You hit her, you damn dog. I’m about to get every fucking message you’ve ever sent her.
Jade: You want to send her to India? Do you want to send her to India with you?
Jade: [Quoting a message] “You are the love of my life Pip come to India
Clarke: Don’t ever talk to me again
Jasmine: Stop Jade, stop it
Bell: Let it go, Jade