Thaindian News

Melbourne/New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) An Indian taxi driver was Friday assaulted by a star footballer in one more attack on Indians in Australia. Victoria premier John Brumby, in India on a visit, termed the incident as “regrettable” and assured action against the attacker.
Essendon footballer Michael Hurley, 19, was briefly held for kicking and punching the unidentified Indian cabbie outside a fastfood centre after an altercation on Hoddle Street in Melbourne early Friday morning, the Herald Sun reported.

“It is regrettable. The club has indicated its regret and apologised,” Victoria premier Brumby, currently visiting India, told reporters in New Delhi.

“Concrete action will be taken against the footballer… We will not allow this kind of attack,” he said,

Brumby though sought to downplay the incident, saying the attack was a result of excess drinking. “Michael is a good kid. It’s not typical of his behaviour. He just went out and had too much to drink,” Brumby said. “There’s a lesson in here for everyone,” he said.

Hurley took a taxi outside a South Melbourne nightclub about 5.30 a.m. and went to a food outlet on Hoddle Street. When the driver pursued him asking for fare, Hurley allegedly kicked him in the groin and punched him.

Paul Hamilton, general manager of operations at Essendon Football Club, confirmed that “Hurley had been involved in an incident overnight”.

He said Hurley was questioned by police at the Fitzroy police station for his brawl with the taxi driver. He was, however, released later.

The footballer was not charged with any offence, Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the alleged attack was over a fare dispute and Hurley was likely to be charged for assault related offences.

Between June and August, around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities in Australia.