‘F...ing idiot’: David Klemmer accused of swearing at NRL official

Knights forward David Klemmer has been sanctioned for abusing an NRL official in Newcastle’s loss to Penrith. Read his alleged spray here.

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Newcastle Knights front-rower David Klemmer has been fined for calling an NRL official a “f...ing idiot” in an ugly fallout to Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Penrith Panthers.

As frustrations grew in the 75th minute, Klemmer is alleged to have sworn at interchange official Andrew Alchin while the Knights prop was attempting to be replaced.

It’s believed Klemmer was being interchanged and had exited the field, but was called back on to pack a scrum.

Television footage shows Klemmer jog back on to the field and turn and direct words towards someone on the sideline.

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David Klemmer returns to the field to pack a scrum against Penrith at Panthers Stadium, where he is alleged to have sworn at an NRL official.

The NRL investigated the incident on Monday, which included in an official report by the ground manager at Panthers Stadium, before hitting Klemmer with a grade one contrary conduct charge.

He will be fined $1150 but isn’t in danger of being suspended, which could have affected his Kangaroos position for Australia’s games against New Zealand and Tonga at the end of the season.

The NRL has been contacted for comment, while The Daily Telegraph has also attempted to contact Klemmer via text message.

The Knights bombed out after a disastrous season, flogged 54-10 by a Panthers side which had lost three straight matches going into the final round.

Penrith forwards James Tamou and Reagan Campbell-Gillard tackle Newcastle prop David Klemmer during their clash with Newcastle at Panthers Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle’s shocking performance, which included conceding 54 points in 44 minutes, punctuated a season that started with hopes of a finals berth but finished with the sacking of coach Nathan Brown, the shock late-season departure of key signing Jesse Ramien and losing streaks of five and six-games.

Sunday’s game was Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s last for Penrith, with the Panthers forward set to move to an NRL rival in the off-season.

Originally published as ‘F...ing idiot’: David Klemmer accused of swearing at NRL official