HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson is confident key defender Brian Lake said nothing offensive to Geelong forward Mitch Clark during Monday's game at the MCG and is disappointed the 33-year-old's name has been connected with the allegations.

After reports surfaced on Thursday night that a Hawthorn player had allegedly sledged Clark about his illness during the game, the two clubs and the AFL did a preliminary investigation to find out what happened.

The Hawks said in a statement on Friday they found it difficult to get clarity on what was said by whom and the Herald Sun reported Lake had told his manager Marty Pask that he vehemently denied saying anything to upset Clark.

Geelong said Clark did not want to pursue the matter with an official complaint and the AFL will not investigate the matter further.

Clarkson said on Saturday morning it was time to put the issue in the past.

"They're simply allegations. There's been no investigation by either the League or Geelong, so we're better off leaving it at that, I reckon," he said.

"I'm disappointed for 'Lakey'. It's a bit difficult to clear your name when it's already been put out there.

"I know through speaking to him and our other players that he said nothing of the sort, so to have his name smeared by people who just allege that he said something makes it more difficult."

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan told SEN radio that if Clark wants to move on from the issue then there was no need to take the matter further.  

He said there was confusion about what might have been said and it was even unclear how the issue was raised.

"It's just messy. I think ultimately in issues like this, whether it is broader vilification or this specific alleged vilification, it's about the player who has allegedly been impugned and in this case, Mitch clearly wants to move on," McLachlan said.

"What actually happened? There is confusion about that and he [Clark] wants to move on and focus on the footy this week."