(Image: Channel Seven)

The Melbourne Football Club have apologised to a Carlton fan after midfielder Clayton Oliver engaged in a verbal altercation with him at the MCG on Sunday.

After the man hurled abuse from the first row towards Oliver, the young gun decided to walk up to him and retaliate.

In a statement, the AFL said players should never engage with the crowd in such a manner at any time.

Oliver has been counselled by his club over the incident.

“The AFL today said it had completed its follow-up into a matter from yesterday’s Round 16 match between Melbourne and Carlton at the MCG, in which player Clayton Oliver had had a verbal exchange with a member of the crowd,” the statement read.

“It was the AFL’s view that players should not engage with the crowd in such a manner at any time and the player had been counselled on this by the club following discussions with the AFL, and the club had apologised to the patron.”