The AFL has fined North Melbourne coach Brad Scott $30,000 for accusing umpires of bias.
In the immediate aftermath of North Melbourne's nine-point loss to Hawthorn, Scott claimed he had been told an on-field umpire made the remark after a crucial non-decision went against the Kangaroos,but an investigation on Saturday morning proved the claims to be false.
The Kangaroos have also been fined $50,000 as a result of the incident.
The club offered an official apology for the remarks, but Scott took the chance to clarify the situation further.
"I'd like to add my personal, unreserved apology for statements made in the post game press conference," Scott said on Monday afternoon.
"I was given information on the way in to the press conference that I believed to be matter of fact, not rumour or innuendo. It came from a trusted source and I believed those comments.
"I was then asked a direct question which I answered openly and honestly. Clearly, 12 hours later after an investigation by the club, that statement of fact had turned out to be completely incorrect and lacked any factual basis."