David Klemmer could reportedly receive a public apology from the Newcastle Knights as the club seeks to defuse the saga following the player’s expletive-laden rant at a trainer.
Klemmer was publicly issued a show-cause notice and stood down from training in the wake of Sunday’s galling defeat to the Bulldogs, in which Klemmer refused to leave the field when directed by trainer Hayden Knowles.
Klemmer reportedly labeled Knowles a “c***” and told him to “shut the f*** up”.
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The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas initially reported Knowles lodged an official complaint to HR, with the Knights following the official policy of owners Wests Group by standing down the player.
On Friday I clarified it wasn’t actually initiated by the trainer.
“Management of the Newcastle Knights (Wests Group) instigated the investigation by HR,” he tweeted.
“Bizarre choice of action from head office. Might all be sorted today.
The Herald claims that Klemmer was set to front Newcastle’s board next week, but discussions are ongoing with the player’s union and Klemmer’s management which could see him return to the fold on Friday.
After suggestions Klemmer could even be terminated over the issue SEN’s Michelle Bishop claimed the tables had turned to the point the show cause notice could now be retracted.
“David Klemmer won’t be sacked,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“In fact, my sources say there could even be a public apology coming his way.
“I understand that’s what he’s requested out of the investigation so far.”
Bishop reported that Klemmer had been able to prove that his actions were “common practice” at the club.
It comes amid a scathing critique of the incident from club legend Matty Johns, who labeled Newcastle’s public handling of the incident an ‘overreaction’ to a scene he witnessed “a thousand times” in his successful career.
Johns told Fox League on Thursday: “It’s led to a big situation. The situation itself (isn’t a big deal) – I’m really surprised. I sprayed a trainer, I didn’t want to come off. He’s been stood down, apparently his Knights career is in the balance for refusing to leave and giving a trainer a spray.
“I’ve seen that a thousand times. I just think it’s an over-reaction. Even if it isn’t, and you want to address it, I don’t know why and how it’s turned up in the public domain … I can’t get my head around it.”
“You see it a million times, a bloke’s going (off) to the trainer – there’s always argy-bargy,” he added.
There have been widespread rumors this week that the Knights were considering tearing up Klemmer’s contract in the wake of the incident, something which former Roosters and Souths star Bryan Fletcher declared would be ‘a disgrace’.
Fletcher said on Fox League: “Are they trying to move him on? We know he’s on big money. If they are and this is the reason, I think it’s a disgrace.”
O’BRIEN ‘AT A LOSS’
Johns labeled it “an absolute bludger of a week for the Newcastle Knights”, from the announcement that superstar Kalyn Ponga would take no further part this season due to repeated concussions, to Sunday’s home defeat to the Canterbury Bulldogs, and even O’Brien’s controversial comments in the post-match press-conference.
Johns said: “the press conference after the game, (after which) Adam O’Brien was criticized for a lot of his comments, talking about his four premierships as an assistant.
“I can’t be too critical of Adam with this – he’s a coach without answers for a fanbase asking a lot of questions. He’s really at a loss at the moment.”
O’Brien reportedly has ‘no issue’ with Klemmer, who sent a message apologizing to the coach on Sunday night for his behavior on-field.
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