Klemmer requests “public apology” as Knights wrap up verbal spray investigation

Under-fire Newcastle forward David Klemmer could receive a public apology after he was handed a show-cause notice by the Knights for a verbal incident in last weekend’s loss to Canterbury.

The club opted to stand down Klemmer after an investigation was conducted following the forward delivering a verbal spray to trainer Hayden Knowles after he refused to leave the field after he was told to head off for a substitution.

Reports in recent days suggested Klemmer could be sacked as a result of the incident, but SEN’s Michelle Bishop says the tables have turned and the club may have found that the prop was never in the wrong.

“David Klemmer won’t be sacked,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“In fact, my sources say there could even be a public apology coming his way.

“I understand that’s what he’s requested out of the investigation so far.”

According to Bishop, the issue was raised after Knowles went to the club’s HR department to lodge an official complaint.

While the incident was thoroughly investigated, Bishop says Klemmer has cleared his name as the verbal altercation “wasn’t out of the ordinary” at NRL level.

“We all know already that an official complaint was lodged with the club’s human resources department by trainer Hayden Knowles,” Bishop explained.

“He was upset over the way he was spoken to or in this case abused and sworn at by Klemmer when he was asked to leave the field in the loss to the Dogs.

“Klemmer ignored the initial request to leave but eventually made his way down the tunnel.

“I understand Klemmer hasn’t denied any of that, but his defence is that it is common practice and with the investigation, he was able to show proof of that.

“In fact, text messages that have been sent previously by staff including by Hayden Knowles with that type of language, also written on whiteboards in the gym and the team areas.

“There was another claim though about some argy-bargy in the tunnel after the incident, but to my knowledge that’s been investigated and found to be totally untrue.”

With the investigation concluding, Bishop expects the club to retract Klemmer’s show cause notice which will allow him to become available for selection and return to training with his teammates.

“This is an extremely messy situation, a senior very popular member of the team with the players and an experienced trainer who’s been in the game for a long time, not just at club level but with national and at New South Wales,” Bishop said.

“But what we expect over the next 24 hours is to retract the show-cause notice handed to David Klemmer.”

Klemmer is currently contracted at the club until the end of the 2023 season.