May 8th, 2017

May 8th, 2017

Police are investigating whether George Calombaris shoved a fan at last night's A-League grand final which could see the Masterchef judge charged with assault.

The incident occurred around 8.50pm after Sydney FC had won a penalty shootout against Melbourne Victory 4-2 with the fan yelling out at the celebrity chef "pay your staff, you dodgy bastard."

In video footage of the heated confrontation, football fans in the audience can be heard booing at Calombaris who strides over to the stand at Allianz Stadium and points a finger at one of the men, before pushing him in the chest.

Calombaris, who is Melbourne Victory's number one ticketholder, was attending the match with fellow Masterchef judge Matt Preston and chef Shannon Bennett and had been in conversation with FFA chief executive David Gallop before the scuffle.

He is spoken to by a police officer before being ushered away by Preston.

Police confirmed today they were reviewing the incident. It is understood that Calombaris could face a common assault charge if the fan he shoved wants to push ahead with the matter.

"We are investigating the incident and our inquiries are continuing," a police spokesperson said.

"A 19-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a 38-year-old man after the game.

"Both men were spoken to at the time."

In a statement released today, Calombaris apologised and claimed he was reacting to derogatory remarks made about his family. Calombaris has reported the abuse to both the FFA and Melbourne Victory.

"I am really disappointed with what occurred last night," the statement from Calombaris reads. "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."

Calombaris has been under fire after it emerged that 162 of his staff members had been underpaid by $2.6 million despite receiving a warning from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The Masterchef judge has apologised for the situation and promised to rectify it.