Kane Cornes says sorry as secret AFL phone call emerges

Kane Cornes has taken a rare step after dragging fellow Channel 7 stars into a legal action storm with the CEO of the AFL now involved.

Kane Cornes has made a formal apology to four AFL umpires after reports the whistleblowers were preparing to take legal action against the football pundit.

It comes as it emerged on Thursday AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon personally intervened in the matter by setting up a group phone call with the umpires who were reportedly left furious by comments made by Cornes and fellow Channel 7 stars Luke Hodge and Dale Thomas.

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Cornes on Thursday apologised for comments he made about the four umpires when they had been publicly questioned about their handling of Lachie Schultz’s ugly concussion in Round 9.

The remarks were made on May 13 during Channel 7’s Agenda Setters program.

Kane Cornes (centre) put his foot in it. Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

On Thursday night, Cornes apologised via his radio platform SEN. According to reports Hodge and Thomas are expected to make similar public comments on-air this weekend.

“On May 14th edition of SEN Sportsday I accused field umpires who were officiating that round nine match between Fremantle and Collingwood of misleading the AFL and that they had not seen the incident in which Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz suffered a concussion,” Cornes said.

“I made some of those comments having seen two initial statements made by the AFL with regards to the matter on Friday May 9th, and then also on Tuesday May the 13th. And further comments after seeing the additional statement made by the AFL, readdressing their initial statements.

“Now in light of the additional statement, which made it clear that the umpires had not misled the AFL, I acknowledge that the allegations made by me on this show were false and I withdraw them.

“I understand the umpires truthfully told the AFL that they saw the incident and did not mislead the AFL. So I unreservedly apologise to Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Roger for making these false allegations.”

Collingwood’s Schultz was left concussed during the club’s round nine clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on May 8.

The 27-year-old was evidently dazed after an ugly fourth-quarter collision with Fremantle’s Jordan Clark as play continued to unfold.

A day after match the AFL released a statement saying the umpires “did not see the injured player at the time so play continued”.

Kane Cornes in action for Channel 7 at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein.

AFL executive general manager of football Laura Kane was then forced to come forward and admit the information given by the umpires was “inconsistent” with new audio first uncovered by Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.

The audio, which can be heard in the above video player, appeared to show the umpires were aware of Schultz’ condition.

The saga took a fresh twist, however, only days later when the AFL issued a third statement which noted a miscommunication between the umpiring department and AFL House was to blame for the initial statement.

The umpires — Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger — were left “filthy” with the comments made on The Agenda Setters, per football journalist Tom Morris.

Meanwhile, Seven reports Dillon on Wednesday moved to put an end to the saga by contacting the umpires. Less than 24 hours after Dillon’s intervention, Cornes made his public apology.

Speaking on Triple M, Thomas said, as of Wednesday morning, that he “hadn’t received any formal documents from anyone”.

He added: “While I am aware of the statement that’s been made and the report, I honestly can’t say anything more until more information or anything else is brought to light.

“Unfortunately I can’t give any greater insight to it, but that’s as much as I can say.”

Cornes, meanwhile, took a brief break away from his radio and TV roles last week, but he returned to fill his normal role during Seven’s coverage of Hawthorn’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Originally published as Kane Cornes says sorry as secret AFL phone call emerges