Victoria Police are expected to charge a Melbourne Demons fan in relation to a sickening brawl at the MCG on Saturday involving a Hawthorn supporter with an intellectual disability.
Following the Demons’ narrow win over the Hawks on Saturday afternoon, fan-shot footage shows a 31-year-old Hawthorn fan knocking a full beer out of the accused assailant, identified by police as a 34-year-old from Baxter. The footage shows the Baxter man launching at the Hawthorn fan, striking him repeatedly before bystanders intervene. One person can be heard shouting “he’s disabled you fucking idiot” in the background.
The boys share their thoughts about a fighting incident from yesterday’s match.#9AFLSFS pic.twitter.com/FaH3qYezVJ
— Sunday Footy Show (@SunFootyShow) May 5, 2019
Following the incident, police investigated and issued a statement asserting the man is expected to be charged with assault via summons.
A 34-year-old Baxter man has been interviewed over an assault which occurred at the MCG last night following the Melbourne – Hawthorn game. The man is expected to be charged on summons with assault related offences. Police are still to identify the victim who had left the venue prior to their arrival.
The victim, 31-year-old Ben Ploegmakers, has an intellectual disability and admitted he should not have thrown the drink, but claimed in an interview with Seven News that the accused man had hurled slurs in his direction immediately prior to the assault.
Nine News broadcast footage posted to social media several weeks ago reportedly showing Ploegmakers giving an expletive-laced rant at the conclusion of the Hawthorn – St Kilda game, which included aggressive insults in the direction of opposition fans.
A Melbourne supporter is set to be charged with assault for punching a disabled Hawthorn fan after yesterday’s MCG match. @CGreenbank9 #9News pic.twitter.com/oehl3ARqmB
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) May 5, 2019
It’s unclear whether Ploegmakers has spoken to police in regards to Saturday’s incident at this stage.
