Footbrawl at posh French restaurant ends in apology, suspension, and a broken hand
An upmarket French restaurant was the scene of a footbrawl earlier in the week when two Melbourne Football Club footballers came to blows.
Steven May and Jake Melksham were made to apologise to the Prahran restaurant and its staff, with restaurant owner Jason M Jones confirming the players had set things right.
“In regards to the matter involving two @melbournefc players - we have received a formal apology from both parties which we have accepted,” Jones wrote on Entrecote’s Instagram page.
“We have no further comment on this matter.”
Entrecote restaurant added: “For us - it’s just back to being #frenchandf***ingfabulous doing what we love most - wining and dining our amazing, guests, friends and family x Merci.”
The players clashed after May taunted Melksham about his absence from last year’s Grand Final winning team. It was then that Melksham, known for his boxing skills, floored his teammate.
“If you had have played in the granny (grand final), we would have lost,” May allegedly said to Melksham.
May was suspended for one week after breaking concussion protocols.
Melksham will miss games due to a broken hand caused by the punch.
At least seven players were at the Greville St restaurant.
The club issued a statement at 11.30am on Tuesday.
General manager of football performance Alan Richardson said: “Following a dinner on Sunday evening, Jake and Steven informed us of a scuffle that took place after a lighthearted disagreement between the pair escalated. Both Jake and Steven had been drinking at dinner and are incredibly remorseful that things played out the way they did.
“Given Steven is still under the AFL concussion protocols from round 11, he was aware that under club guidelines he should not have been drinking.
“The leadership group has recommended to impose a one-match ban on Steven, a decision which has been endorsed by the club’s broader leadership.”
May said last night: “It’ll be hard to watch the game knowing I’m responsible for not being out there.
“The only thing I can do now is get back to working hard, get back in the team, and continue this great start to the season we’ve had.
“My teammates are obviously disappointed with me, but they know that it was a bad error of judgement, and it wasn’t to disrespect them or our values.”
Entrecote is one of Melbourne’s best fine dine restaurants, named after the famous “one-dish steakhouse” opened in Paris in 1959.
Set menus come cost $95 per person, while it will cost $6000 for a private event.
Irit Jackson, 8th June 2022
