Rugby Union
Leicester boss Geoff Parling apologises after pre-match clash with Craig Doyle
Leicester boss Geoff Parling has apologised after he was involved in a heated exchange with TV presenter Craig Doyle ahead of their Gallagher Prem match with Gloucester at Villa Park on Saturday.
Footage showed TNT Sports’ Doyle inviting Liam MacDevitt to attempt a conversion, which prompted an angry response from Parling after MacDevitt’s kick from the touchline flew in the direction of where the Tigers players were warming up.
He walked towards Doyle before pushing him and replied “It’s f****** not on,” after the presenter asked: “Would you sign him, Geoff?”
In a statement from Leicester on Sunday afternoon, Parling said: “I would like to apologise for the incident pre-game yesterday – it is important we stay a family-focused game and it wasn’t appropriate for viewers to see that.
“We have a great product in the Gallagher Prem and I offer my thanks to Craig Doyle and everyone at TNT for continuing to innovate and think differently.
“After talking last night, we’ll make sure we are fully aligned behind new ideas, including when best to use them; and keep pushing our game to new audiences.”
Leicester also confirmed that “those on the ground at Villa Park” had been offered private apologies from Parling and the club, and said “Tigers appreciate the apologies for the kick taking place initially”.
Doyle apologised for Parling’s language on air, saying: “Geoff not happy about that.”
Speaking after the game to BBC Radio Leicester, Parling said: “The producer from TNT has just come and apologised to me. They had something set up that wasn’t passed with anybody, without our knowledge.
“I’m very wary I need to protect my players and certainly balls flying towards our players that could go anywhere where there’s an injury risk, then I’m obviously not going to be happy.”
TNT Sports declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association on Saturday.
