Nick Mallett didn’t bail on Willemse meeting, SuperSport insists
The former Springbok coach and television pundit didn't stay for the full duration of the meeting that was supposed to shed light on the weekend's drama in studio.
Nick Mallett enters the elevator after walking into the pause area from a meeting dealing with an on-air situation involving him and Naas Botha in which Ashwin Willemse walked out of the studio during live commentary. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
SuperSport have denied that Nick Mallett prematurely walked out of Monday’s meeting that was supposed to investigate the background to the Ashwin Willemse incident.
The former Springbok coach and now popular television pundit was spotted by journalists leaving the Multichoice building before the forum, which included Willemse and Naas Botha, had actually ended.
#AshwinWIllemse UPDATE: just saw Nick Mallet leave the Multichoice building, he says he has to go see a doctor and we must ask SuperSport pic.twitter.com/dyrA02ebLg
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) May 21, 2018
Mallett is speculated to have been the driving force behind Willemse’s walkout during a broadcast last weekend.
But Gideon Khobane, CEO of SuperSport, was adamant that the 61-year-old had to get to the airport for an urgent engagement on Tuesday.
“Nick had a flight to catch, he lives in Cape Town,” he said.
“He couldn’t get a 6am flight and could only arrive here at 11. He’s got an appointment (on Tuesday), which I can’t divulge. It has nothing to do with SuperSport or the incident. He had to catch a flight to honour that appointment. That’s why he left early.”
The appointment is rumoured to be of a medical nature.
SuperSport insist that they will give themselves enough time to fully investigate the incident and follow-up meetings, which didn’t reveal any specific timeframe, have been scheduled. – Sport Staff
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