CELEBRITY chef George Calombaris has been convicted and handed a $1000 fine after he punched a young football fan after being “sucked in by the yahoo masses”, a court has heard.

In the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court today Magistrate Peter Miszalski said it was a “tragedy” a man like Calombaris had come “before the courts” in a situation where he was “sucked into the drama” and deliberately punched someone.

media_camera George Calombaris confronts the fan at the A-League grand final.

A video of the incident played to the court during the 39-year-old MasterChef judge’s sentencing hearing showed Calombaris lapping up the atmosphere on the playing field and waving his Melbourne Victory scarf before approaching a 19-year-old Sydney FC fan and violently lashing out at him.

Calombaris’ solicitor David Edwardson QC told the court the outburst of violence was an “aberration” and was “spontaneous and reactive” but had delivered no injury to the victim.

In the video the celebrity chef can be seen dodging an advertising hoarding and walking up to the crowd where according to the statement of facts he “approached the young man and punched him in the lower abdomen with his right fist”.

media_camera George Calombaris arrives at the Downing Centre court in Sydney today. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

He can then been seen having an exchange of words with the young fan while other spectators call out to Calombaris with some yelling “Hey George, pay your staff you dodgy bastard”.

After a few seconds Calombaris backs away from the crowd before police escort him from the field.

The assault took place shortly after Melbourne Victory’s loss to Sydney FC on penalties in the A-league grand final at Allianz Stadium in May.

MORE TO COME.