After copping widespread condemnation and refusing to answer Anthony Seibold’s phonecalls after appearing to label him a ‘cancer’ , Brisbane Broncos shareholder Phil Murphy has claimed his distasteful comments were taken out of context.
"It's like having a cancer and it hasn't been cut out," Murphy told Nine News on Monday night in what appeared an obvious reference to Seibold.
"If you don't treat the cancer, you die ... I don't want to see the Broncos die."
A furious Seibold slammed Murphy’s comments and claimed the controversial co-owner failed to answer his text messages and hastily hung up when the coach called to confront him on Tuesday.
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Murphy broke his silence on Thursday, declaring he stands by the sentiment of his comments but insisting they were not aimed directly at Seibold.
He told The Courier Mail his crass analogy was simply ‘a metaphor for what should happen at any club if the culture isn’t right’.
Seibold’s tumultuous tenure came to an end on Wednesday after club and coach agreed to a reported seven-figure payou t.
The 45-year-old had three full seasons remaining on his deal after signing a controversial five-year contract in 2018 after just one year in charge of South Sydney.
Broncos legend and Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters and recently sacked North Queensland coach Paul Green are considered the front-runners to replace Seibold.
There has also been speculation the Broncos are planning an audacious bid to lure Melbourne Storm boss Craig Bellamy back to Red Hill after he served as an assistant under Wayne Bennett two decades ago.
However, the 60-year-old is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2021 and has publicly declared he will almost certainly hang up the clipboard when his current deal expires.
Assistant coach Peter Gentle, who has been at the helm for Broncos’ previous two losses, will remain in charge for the final five games of a disastrous 2020 campaign.
The Broncos are scheduled to meet the Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Friday night.
