“The journalist accepted my apology and we agreed to move forward.”

Nine’s news director Hugh Nailon acknowledged Clarkson’s remorse but said he had crossed a line.

“We accept robust exchanges are part of the media landscape, particularly in the footy world, but this crossed a line,” Nailon said.

“A young female reporter should not be threatened or made to feel uncomfortable while doing her job.

“We stand by our reporter, and her reporting on the day.

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“We acknowledge Alastair Clarkson’s remorse.

“We also we appreciate the seriousness, swiftness and professionalism with which North Melbourne has dealt with the matter.”

Nine is the owner of this masthead.

Clarkson’s statement was initially issued to SEN on Thursday after questions from an SEN reporter.

It is not the first time Clarkson has issued apologies over his interactions with journalists.

In 2008, Clarkson, who coached Hawthorn at the time, told SEN he needed to “change his ways” after he swore at a journalist during a press conference in Tasmania.

A similar incident occurred in 2013, when – also at a press conference – Clarkson told an AFL Media reporter he didn’t want to answer the journalist’s questions, and later referred to the journalist as a “cockhead”.

Andrew Newbold, the then-president of the club, described the incident as an “off-the-cuff remark” at the time.

“I think it is disappointing but to be honest ... I don’t see it as being a big issue.”

In 2012, Clarkson was banned by the South Metro Junior Football League for four matches after abusing an umpire’s adviser during his son’s under-9s match in 2012.

That incident, which he later referred to as a “humiliating experience”, occurred the day after he punched a hole in the wall of the MCG coaching box during the quarter-time break against Collingwood.

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