Michael Clarke slap scandal: Karl Stefanovic keeps cool, and silent, offers coffee

Channel 9 star Karl Stefanovic maintained radio silence on his morning show as he became embroiled in the Michael Clarke video scandal. But it was his reaction outside his Sydney home that stunned waiting photographers.

You have to hand it to Karl Stefanovic — he is certainly cool under pressure.

Embroiled in the Michael Clarke scandal, the Today breakfast host was a perfect gentleman when fronted by photographers outside his Sydney home this week.

Stefanovic is yet to comment on the unfortunate melee, which was exposed just over a week ago, although he provided some insight at the Australian Open this week when asked how he was by two female fans, who noted: “we’ve read about some ‘mischief’”.

Stefanovic smiled, nodded and responded, “I don’t go looking for it, it finds me”.

Rather than avoiding the attention outside his home meanwhile, the 48-year-old drove out of his driveway, rolled down the window and had words with the photographers.

Karl Stefanovic gives photographers a wave during his coffee run this week. Picture: Tim Hunter

One photographer noted: “I thought he was going to go off. Instead, he said: “do you want a coffee mate?”.

The snapper declined the generous offer, although requested Stefanovic make himself available for a photo when he returned. As promised, Stefanovic even threw in a wave to photographers as he walked into his house with a tray of refreshments. Well played.

Footage of Michael Clarke involved in a heated argument with his girlfriend.

A shirtless Clarke as the argument continues in Noosa.

Meanwhile, Clarke returned to radio his this week in the wake of the scandal, dismissing the extent of an injury he sustained in the wild incident in Noosa in which he scuffled with Stefanovic and an altercation with his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough, which was captured on video.

On radio, he stuck to cricketing matters, saying no more on the scandal.

Sky Sports Radio has stood by Clarke and he will see out his one-year contract at the station.

His only comments came in the wake of the video becoming last week.

Apologising for the drama, he told The Daily Telegraph: “I accept full responsibility for this altercation and am shattered by my actions.”

Michael Clarke and Jade Yarbrough in happier times in November last yuear. Picture: Getty Images

His apology came after dramatic vision emerged of Yarbrough accusing him of cheating on her with his celebrity fashion designer ex-girlfriend Pip Edwards.

Footage of the fight in a park on January 10, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, showed Ms Yarbrough accusing Clarke of cheating, before slapping him. The video, shot by a bystander, shows Clarke repeatedly denying cheating.

The fallout from the scandal has seen both Clarke and Yarbrough fined by Queensland police for public nuisance after police investigated the footage filmed in a public park.

Clarke is also set to lose his lucrative commentary deal for Australia’s tour of India with broadcasters sending an SOS to Test great Mark Waugh.

However, Clarke could still score a commentary gig, with the former Australian captain in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board about calling its T20 competition around the same time.