The North Melbourne Football Club wishes to withdraw statements made in last night's post match media conference regarding the umpiring.

After discussions with its players and the AFL, it has been established conversations between players and staff in-game, were misconstrued at the time and consequently, relayed incorrectly post-game.

We understand and accept these alleged comments did not come from any umpire.

The club is embarrassed by, and accepts full responsibility for, the situation that has unfolded and unreservedly apologises to the umpires for any distress it may have caused them.

The club accepts its players are not umpired differently and the umpires do not have "pre-conceived ideas" going into games.