Fans hold up a banner for missing Australian player Michael
Clarke who left the tour of New Zealand to be with Lara
Bingle. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought.
Australian glamour couple Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle
have officially terminated their engagement, ending days of
speculation about their anticipated break-up.
International Quarterback, the public relations firm
representing the star cricketer, broke the official news in a
brief statement to the media around 10pm (AEDT) on Friday.
"Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle have decided to end their
engagement," the statement read.
"They ask the media to respect their privacy during this
difficult time. No further comment will be made."
The Sydney media hounded the pair in the days leading up to
the announcement after scandal forced Clarke to abandon the
New Zealand one-day cricket tour and return to Sydney.
It's understood the move came after Bingle, 22, gave an
exclusive interview with Women's Day magazine into
the nude picture scandal that broke over 10 days ago.
She claims AFL footballer Brendan Fevola circulated a nude
photo of her taken in a shower during an affair between the
pair in 2006 and is seeking to sue him in court.
On Thursday, it was reported Clarke was opposed to Bingle
granting the interview, saying it would resurrect old news
and intrude into the couple's private life.
It has been reported Bingle was paid as much as $A200,000
($NZ261,444) for the interview and photo shoot but her
manager Max Markson and the magazine have denied this.
Markson said Bingle had decided to give an "undisclosed
amount" of the money she was paid for the interview to
charity.
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