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Calombaris charged over A-League assault

MasterChef judge George Calombaris has been charged with assault after allegedly shoving a 19-year-old fan at the A-League grand final.

George Calombaris reacting after being heckled by Sydney FC supporters
MasterChef judge George Calombaris has been charged with assault. (AAP)

MasterChef judge George Calombaris has been charged with assault after allegedly shoving a young man after the A-League grand final in Sydney.

Calombaris, 38, reacted on Sunday night when he was heckled by Sydney fans as he walked onto the sidelines at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney pipped Melbourne Victory 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the championship after scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time.

Calombaris, a Victory supporter, assaulted a 19-year-old man after the match, NSW Police said on Wednesday.

He has been charged with common assault and will face Downing Centre Local Court on June 29.

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Footage of the incident shows a group of Sydney fans heckling Calombaris, with one yelling: "Pay your staff you dodgy bastard".

Calombaris was in hot water last month after it was revealed his restaurant empire MAdE Establishment underpaid 162 staff a combined total of $2.6 million.

The workers were subsequently back paid the money owed them.

The celebrity chef issued an apology on Monday, saying he was disappointed he had let the heckling get to him.

"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," he said in a statement.

"I'm truly sorry this has happened."

Network Ten said on Wednesday it was standing by Calombaris.

"This is a personal matter (but) George has apologised for his regrettable and out-of-character reaction, which was in response to highly inflammatory insults about his family," a spokeswoman told AAP in a statement.

"He is not proud of his actions, has taken responsibility for them and has the full support of Network Ten."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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