MasterChef’s George Calombaris Has Just Been Formally Charged With Assault

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MasterChef star George Calombaris has just been charged with assault following a confrontation at the A-league grand final earlier this week.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the Police served Calombaris with a court attendance notice early yesterday, instructing him to appear at Downing Centre local court next month. He is being charged with common assault.

George can be seen shoving a 19-year-old fan at the Allianz Stadium in the video below. The altercation started when the fan had taunted him over the recently discovered news that he was busted underpaying his staff to the tune of a whopping $2.6 million.

When footage of Calombaris surfaced online showing him shoving a 19-year-old teenager, he immediately told News Corp in a statement that “I am really disappointed with what occurred last night.”

 “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,” he added.

He further said “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.”

Network Ten said in a statement that they are standing behind the MasterChef star.

“George has apologised for his regrettable and out of character reaction, which was in response to highly inflammatory insults about his family. He is not proud of his actions, has taken responsibility for them, and has the full support of Network Ten.”