'Final straw' for Karl Stefanovic and Michael Clarke's friendship

Karl Stefanovic and Michael Clarke's friendship may be over following the shock brawl between the former cricketer and his girlfriend, the Today Show host's sister-in-law Jade Yarbrough in Noosa earlier this month.

A source has claimed Karl may be "closing the door on" Michael following the release of the embarrassing footage. According to New Idea, a source has revealed the "final straw" for the Today host was when Michael refused to address the situation when he returned to his Sky Sports Breakfast radio show last week.

The former cricketer's only comment about the incident was about his bruised hamstring, an injury he sustained during the argument, and he let his co-host Gerard Middleton read a statement, describing the altercation as a "private matter".

"Karl's very upset... A lot of people in the industry expected Michael to front up that Monday morning and own it," the source said. "Everyone was left gobsmacked. Like, 'Is that the best you can do, Clarkey?'"

The source added that the only hope for the pair's friendship is for Karl to "forgive his mate... but this is one rift that could take a very long time to mend".

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Footage of the altercation was released this month, showing Michael and Jade involved in an expletive-filled argument where she accused him of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend Pip Edwards in December last year. Karl and his wife Jasmine Yarbrough try desperately to separate the two, with Jasmine grabbing her sister and telling her, "Get away with Karl, get away with Karl."

"Karlos, I can tell you now c**t, don't you f**king walk away. She can, she can punch me, but you, you c**t," Michael yells at Karl, with Jade defending her brother-in-law, saying, "You piece of s**t, don't you f**king speak to him."

Karl's 'crisis talks' over shock brawl

It comes following reports Karl is holding 'crisis meetings' with a source saying he is "terrified" more footage will be revealed.

An alleged source has told New Idea the Today host has now called a family meeting in the aftermath of the footage emerging.

“Since that fight video went public, Karl has been rocked to the core. He is terrified that there could be more footage to come,” a source claiming to be a close family friend told the publication.

“Because [wife] Jasmine witnessed the whole ugly showdown, Karl is very glad he has her to lean on. Jas did everything she could to break up the fight, and is standing by Karl as they navigate the damage that’s been done.”

The source said Karl told the family there are to be "no more dramas" as he "cannot afford another crisis like this one".

It comes after Karl landed in hot water after a private phone call with his brother Peter was leaked.

Karl left Today after being axed after 15 years with the network in 2018 after former co-star Lisa Wilkinson quit and the media began focusing on his divorce and subsequent marriage to now-wife Jasmine.

Details of the private conversation between Karl and his brother also made headlines and was believed to have led to his sacking.

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