What’s the Buzz: Knights coach Adam O’Brien breaks silence on racecourse row

Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has furiously hit back at claims a day at the Newcastle races got out of hand.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien has broken his silence.

Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has spoken for the first time of his recent drama at Broadmeadow races, furiously rejecting a report he was drunk or guilty of obnoxious ­behaviour.

A story claimed O’Brien had a bad day on the punt, too many drinks and screamed obscenities after bumping into a punter in the men’s room.

“I’m disappointed because it was a clickbait article and not a true account of what happened,” O’Brien told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I was at the track a bit over two hours. I had more seafood and roast meat than anyone can eat. I had four drinks and could probably have driven home if I’d had my car.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien. Picture: AAP

“All this rubbish about being ejected from the course, it was completely false.”

O’Brien confirmed there was an issue in the toilets after the races were abandoned midafternoon.

However, he said claims a punter “accidentally” bumped into him were also false.

“I felt it was deliberate and probably targeted,” he said. “It wasn’t just two blokes bumping into each other — it was more significant than that.

“It’s disappointing. We don’t sit above the community here at the Knights, we sit with them.

“I talk to the players about it all the time. We’re all a part of the community. I’m not going to run away from anything but we’ve got to move on and I’m just preparing for trials.”

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Knights coach Adam O’Brien breaks silence on racecourse row