CELEBRITY STOUSH: Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic in wild scuffle amid cheating claims
Legendary cricketer Michael Clarke is in damage control over expletive-riddled footage of him being slapped by girlfriend Jade Yarbrough as she accused him of cheating with ex Pip Edwards. Police have now confirmed they are investigating the incident. WATCH the extraordinary vision.
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Police have confirmed they are investigating an incident between former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed in a statement on Thursday it was investigating the incident, which was made public when footage of the scuffle was obtained by News Corp.
The video showed Ms Yarbrough accusing Clarke of cheating, before slapping him, while Today Show host Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine — Jade’s sister — attempted to intervene. The footage shows Clarke repeatedly denying cheating.
“Queensland Police are investigating an incident between a 30-year-old woman and 41-year-old man depicted in footage at Lions Park on Gympie Terrace in Noosaville earlier this month,” the statement said.
“As this matter on January 10, 2023, is under investigation, the Queensland Police Service is unable to provide any further comment.”
On Wednesday, News Corp revealed Clarke and Stefanovic had squared off in a wild fracas in a public park, which culminated in Clarke being slapped across the face and accused of cheating.
The extraordinary showdown in Noosa on January 10, which saw two of Australia’s most high profile celebrities and their partners — sisters Jade and Jasmine Yarbrough — in an emotionally charged blow-up, was filmed by a bystander and obtained by The Daily Telegraph.
Clarke told The Telegraph on Wednesday night: “I accept full responsibility for this altercation and am shattered by my actions”.
The fight began when the two high-profile couples and their celebrity accountant mate Anthony Bell were at dinner at a riverside restaurant.
It’s understood Clarke’s celebrity fashion designer ex-girlfriend Pip Edwards and Jade had been in contact, sparking the confrontation between Clarke and Jade. At one point in the melee, Clarke tore his hamstring.
He is later captured on the vision limping and reaching down to his right leg, appearing to struggle as he walked after Jade.
Incredible vision shows a shirtless Clarke limping in a park surrounded by a group who are trying to calm the situation, while a furious Jade screams at him then slaps him across the face.
“You f**ked her on December 17 … You f**ked her, you’re a f**king dog,” Jade screams.
Clarke responds: “Baby you’re wrong, you’re wrong.”
The screaming match took place in front of multiple people in a park, about 9.30pm, and was so confronting that an onlooker could be heard yelling “there’s children over there” as they encouraged the group to take the fight elsewhere.
The bystander who filmed the fight said he was first alerted to the drama when he spotted Clarke and Stefanovic in a heated exchange.
“We were in the park and saw something erupt, and lo and behold it was one of the most famous cricketers in the country and one of the most famous TV identities in Australia fighting each other,” the man said.
He watched on as Jade slapped Clarke across the face and screamed at him: “You f**king liar, I saw everything, I saw everything.” She appeared to be referring to text messages between Clarke and Edwards.
Clarke told The Daily Telegraph: “I’m absolutely gutted I’ve put people I hold in the highest regard in this position. My actions in the lead-up to this altercation were nothing short of shameful and regrettable,” he said.
“I am shattered that because of my actions I’ve drawn women of class and integrity, and my mates, into this situation.”
“I own this fully and am the only one at fault,” Clarke said.
The vision continues with Clarke yelling back at Jade, insisting he hasn’t cheated and that he was with Bell the night in question.
“Baby, baby, Belly was at the house. I swear on my life, I swear at my life … That’s not true, it’s not true,” Clarke insists.
At this point, Jasmine steps in to grab Jade by the arm and walks her away from the scene. Jade can be heard sobbing.
Clarke, limping after tearing his hamstring earlier in the fracas, then turns his fury towards Stefanovic.
“Karlos, I can tell you now c**t, don’t you f**king look away. She can, she can punch me, but you, you c**t,” Clarke says.
Jade flares up again, defending Stefanovic, and slapping Clarke in the face.
“You piece of shit, don’t you f**king speak to him,” she says.
A witness to the altercation said he was appalled by the behaviour of the celebrities involved.
“It was gobsmacking. At the end of the day, these guys are public figures … I just know if you’re a public figure, you can’t behave like that,” he said.
In the video, an anxious-looking Bell is seen trying to calm the situation telling the pair “stop it guys, stop, stop”.
But Clarke keeps yelling.
“Go, hit me hit me … do it again, you’re wrong, you’re f**king wrong,” Clarke says to Jade.
Jade responds: “Oh am I wrong? You f**ked her (Edwards) on December 17, you f**ked her … you’re a f**king dog … I’d like to get every f**king message that you ever f**king sent her.”
LIFE AND TIMES OF CRICKET LEGEND MICHAEL CLARKE
She continued by making reference to a message she had seen between Clarke and Edwards.
“Oh yeah, you’re the love of my life Pip, come to India,” Jade said.
Edwards issued a statement saying she was unaware of the “debacle” in Noosa.
“This is not my circus. Yet again, Michael in his true nature has not taken responsibility for his actions and I was blatantly lied to,” Edwards said.
The footage ends with Jasmine and Bell finally separating the pair.
“Stop Jade, stop,” Jasmine says.
Michael Clarke’s cricketing career
Michael Clarke is a retired Australian cricketer who captained the national team from 2011 to 2015.
He is considered one of the best batsmen of his generation and one of the greatest Australian cricketers of all time.
Clarke made his debut for Australia in 2003 and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.
He was known for his aggressive and stylish batting, and was particularly strong against fast bowling.
In 2005, he scored his first century in Test cricket and went on to score many more throughout his career.
He was also a skilled captain, leading Australia to victory in the 2010-11 Ashes series and the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Clarke was also known for his leadership off the field, and was respected for his dedication to the game and his teammates.
He was named the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2006 and the Allan Border Medalist for the best Australian cricketer in 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
He was also named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Despite his success, Clarke’s career was not without controversy.
In 2013, he was involved in a public feud with former captain Ricky Ponting, and in 2015, he faced criticism for his handling of the “homework” scandal involving teammates Shane Watson, James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson.
Clarke retired from international cricket in 2015.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian cricketers of all time, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered for many years to come.
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