A Sydney court has heard celebrity chef and MasterChef judge George Calombaris punched an A-League fan after the victim allegedly called Calombaris’ mother a “cunt.”
At a pre-sentencing hearing, Magistrate David Price told the court Calombaris believed the Sydney FC football fan had slandered his mother after the team’s Grand Final win over Melbourne Victory.
Magistrate Price recounted how Calombaris “punched him in the lower abdomen with his right fist, in public” following the May match at Allianz Stadium.
The court also heard that Calombaris called the 19-year-old a “big mouthed-man, you dodgy cunt.”
Video footage of the altercation shows the agitated 38-year-old approach the fan in the stands as others call for Calombaris’ dismissal from the grounds. He can then be seen involved in a physical dispute with the man.
Calombaris plead guilty to a charge of common assault in August.
Speaking to media outside the courthouse today, Calombaris said “I apologised the day after, I apologise to the gentleman that I approached, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Celebrity chef George Calombaris apologised outside court for assaulting a teenager after the @ALeague Grand Final in May pic.twitter.com/WkGbORKGYU
— Avani Dias (@AvaniDias) September 8, 2017
He also issued a statement to the media shortly after the incident occurred, which referenced the alleged verbal abuse he received and apologised for his actions.
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.
Calombaris was due to be sentenced today, but Magistrate Price called for an exhaustive pre-sentencing report to examine the available options. As it stands, he faces a maximum penalty of 2 years behind bars, or a $5,500 fine.
He’ll face Downing Centre Local Court again for sentencing on October 20.
