Michael Clarke ‘loses contract’, could be fired from commentary job over parking brawl scandal

Former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has reportedly suffered a severe blow to his hip pocket after video emerged of his wild confrontation with girlfriend Jade Yarbrough in Noosa – and now he could also lose a lucrative contract to move to India Leave a Comment.

The 41-year-old was filmed by a bystander in an explosive altercation in Noosa, Queensland while on holiday with Yarbrough, her sister Jasmine and husband and media personality Karl Stefanovic.

Footage showed Yarbrough yelling at Clarke, slapping him in the face and accusing him of allegedly cheating on her with his former partner, high-profile fashion designer Pip Edwards.

“You want to send her to India?” Yarbrough yells in the video.

“You are the love of my life Pip, come with me to India”

Clarke insisted he was innocent of the footage and swore on his daughter Kelsey’s life before lashing out at Stefanovic with a barrage of profanities.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke’s potential sponsorship deal with a skincare brand has already ended – and more may follow in the wake of the scandal.

Australia are due to play India in a series of four Tests from February 9 and Clarke was due to fly out to be part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) commentary panel, which would be heard on Fox Sports.

Clarke and Jade Yarbrough were filmed having an explosive argument at a park in Noosa. She accused the former Australia cricket captain of cheating on her

In the footage, Yarbrough can be seen slapping Clarke while insisting the allegations are untrue, before turning to Karl Stefanovic in a foul-mouthed tirade

Clarke (pictured with the late Shane Warne commenting) is at risk of losing a lucrative television job after footage of Noosa was released

However, News Corp has reported that sources in India believe Clarke could be blocked by the image-conscious government agency.

The BCCI is the largest, wealthiest and most powerful organization in international cricket and any attempt to stop Clarke from his commentator role would cost the former Australia captain around $150,000 plus expenses.

The board has not responded to a request for comment from The Age, but is in shape on the board after removing Sanjay Manjrekar from its commentary team after calling Indian star Ravindra Jadeja a “little things player” in 2019.

Clarke (front) at The Big Sports Breakfast with former NRL star Laurie Daley and Gerard Middleton. His position on the board is not in jeopardy

Clarke will retain his role on Sydney Breakfast Radio after station owner TabCorp privately held his public relationship with Stefanovic.

The former skipper remains on pre-planned annual leave from his role at Sky Sports Breakfast, with the station’s breakfast crew not returning until Monday.

Clarke in India during his playing days with teammate Damien Martyn walking back to the pavilion during the first India-Australia Test match in Bangalore in 2004

A TabCorp spokesman said the matter was a private matter and Clarke is expected to return to the air as scheduled.

The 41-year-old is expected to address the issue when he returns to work on Monday.

Clarke, a 115 Tests veteran for Australia, has served in his role at Big Sports Breakfast since first becoming partners with Canberra NRL legend Laurie Daley in 2020.

The amazing runs scorer has also worked as a commentator as part of the ICC broadcast team for global cricket tournaments but has no other major media position in Australia.

Clarke has since apologized for his role in the Noosa altercation, telling the Daily Telegraph that he took full responsibility for the incident and was shocked by his actions.

“I’m absolutely disappointed to have put people I value most in this position,” he said.

“My actions leading up to this altercation were downright shameful and regrettable.

“I totally own this and am the only one to blame.”

Stefanovic appeared in his regular role as co-host of Channel Nine’s Today Show on Thursday morning but did not address the matter.

He also remained silent when confronted by the media at Sydney Airport.

A spokesman for the Queensland Police Service said they would be investigating the incident on Thursday.