Police have charged Masterchef judge George Calombaris with assault following video footage which appeared on social media showing him pushing a man after the A-League grand final on Sunday.
Colambaris, who is a passionate Melbourne Victory supporter, was on the pitch following Sydney FC’s penalty shootout win and became involved in an altercation with fans who were shouting at him over issues including the scandal which has seen his company recently underpay some of their staff.
Calombaris eventually left the fans with fellow Masterchef judge Matt Preston after talking to police officers at the ground.
New South Wales Police said on Wednesday that Calombaris had been charged with assaulting a 19-year-old man and has been issued with a future court attendance notice for common assault.
Calombaris is expected to appear at Downing Centre local court on 29 June.
The owner of 17 restaurants under his Made Establishment Group, including The Press Club in Melbourne, Colambaris was named Chef of the Year in 2008 by The Age Good Food Guide.
Colambaris, in a statement released on Monday morning, said he was shocked and disappointed by the incident.
“I was genuinely shocked when post-match football banter turned into personal abuse about my family. I regret the way in which I reacted, I am disappointed that I let it get to me, and I sincerely apologise for offending anyone.
“While I am not proud of my reaction to the situation, I was offended by a spectator yelling out abusive and derogatory comments about my family.
“I have spoken to Melbourne Victory FC and Football Federation Australia today to report the situation and I’m truly sorry that this has happened.”
Update – January 31, 2018
The conviction has been overturned on appeal.
Chris
Guest
How odd...I was assaulted with a king hit on a football field and the police were reluctant to press charges against the perpetrator. Maybe if it was on youtube different story. Thanks for the lecture autuer
northerner
Guest
I think a lot of people don't understand what actually constitutes common assault. Certainly, where I come from, you don't actually have to touch the person to be guilty of assault - a meaningful threat is enough. I imagine it's the same here in Australia - taking an action which leaves the victim with a genuine belief that you have the ability and intention of hurting him - that's assault.
The Auteur
Guest
Because the NSW police are satisfied that George's actions make the elements of Assault in the NSW Criminal Code. Just because you don't know what the law is doesn't mean it's a 'joke'.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Zing
Paul D
Roar Guru
Zing
Ian
Guest
George doesn't like penalties of any kind.... shootouts or paying them
northerner
Guest
If memory serves, "an eye for an eye" was contained in Hammurabi's Code long before it made it into the Bible. Surely, our notion of law and justice and civilised society has advanced from that in the succeeding 3800 years? Or perhaps not.
Ian
Guest
Folks - leave Casper's posts alone. He is the saddest individual posting on this site. He didn't receive the attention he needed as a child so attends AFL games and assaults women and yells at Brisbane Lion's trainers because they are of Asian background..
pauly
Guest
An eye for an eye.... ...only makes the world blind.
Al
Guest
My mind goes back to this when think of George and football....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoZwBH6SOog funny stuff
lesterlike
Guest
Embarrassed that Victory continue to associate themselves with this grub. Hope this wage thief gets booed relentlessly at his next public appearance for Victory.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Steady on, it's not like he pulled a knife!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The new President (as of today) is a pro-dialogue sort so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I'll be in South Korea on Friday and am looking forward to hearing what their take on the whole situation is.
BigAl
Guest
On a recent trip to South Korea, speaking with locals, I got the feeling that their sentiments are - " mmmmh!. . . thank you so so much for what you have done for us America. . . but could you please go home now and let us Koreans try and sort it out ? "
Fadida
Guest
They should force him to watch the Jets. Now that would be punishment
Fadida
Guest
Soft, but you could see why the ref gave it. Once there is contact he has every right to go down :)
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Now that the A League has finished, the AFL fanboys will have nothing much to discuss.
punter
Guest
Juvenile it may be, but it was not abuse. You've obvious not a watcher of live sport. Lots of Juvenile chants in sporting events I've attended in the cricket, RL & the football.
Raimond
Roar Guru
lol at a soccer fan chiding supporters of other codes about their behaviour
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
A terribly interesting discussion, particularly as I am currently typing this comment from an island between Fukuoka and Busan (check your maps if you have no idea as to what I am on about). At the end of the day the issue is about perceived instability and detachment from reality exhibited by the North Korean leadership. This is as much of a concern for China, and to a lesser extent Russia, as it is for South Korea and Japan. None of the parties involved want the North Koreans to have nukes simply because there are concerns that they operate on different diplomatic norms and hence no-one (and I mean no-one) knows where the trigger point lies. Great discussion, by the way.