Steven May suspended after Melbourne players clash at posh French restaurant

The up-market French restaurant at the centre of the Steven May and Jake Melksham clash says it has finally received an apology from the brawling players.

Steven May of the Demons is in trouble after an incident at a French restaurant in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s Steven May and Jake Melksham have been forced to apologise to the posh Prahran restaurant where they brawled.

Entrecote restaurant demanded an apology last night, after viewing the club and May’s response to the incident.

This morning, the restaurant owner Jason M Jones confirmed that the players had done a mea culpa.

“In regards to the matter involving two @melbournefc players - we have received a formal apology from both parties which we have accepted,’” he 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 Herald Sun first contacted the restaurant on Monday afternoon, asking whether the club had apologised.

The restaurant manager declined to comment at that point.

Entrecote is one of Melbourne’s finest restaurants, one of the least likely places to expect a group of footballers clashing on a Sunday night.

Melbourne footballer Jake Melksham allegedly “floored” teammate Steven May after being taunted about missing last year’s drought-breaking premiership.

“If you had have played in the granny (grand final), we would have lost,” May allegedly said to Melksham during a booze-fuelled spat at up-market Prahran restaurant Entrecote on Sunday night.

Melksham, previously a handy amateur boxer, “floored” May with a single punch in retaliation, sources have told the Herald Sun.

The club on Tuesday suspended May for one week for drinking while he was supposed to be recovering from concussion, while Melksham was spared from missing games.

Both players will be forced to do community work.

Entrecote on Tuesday night posted on its Instagram account: “Still no apology to my staff or the restaurant ... disgraceful effort @stevenmay @melbournefc.”

A post shared on Entrecote's Instagram account on Tuesday.

There were at least seven players at the restaurant in Greville St, with the dispute unfolding at 9pm on Sunday.

A witness said the argument started inside but it “spilt outside”, with sources describing members of the group as being “smashed”.

Captain Max Gawn and vice-captain Jack Viney were not present, but the club did not answer questions as to whether any other players had urged May not to drink.

The Herald Sun first approached the club about the incident on Monday afternoon, with the Demons given until 3pm the following day to respond, in order that they could properly investigate what had happened.

The club then 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.

Steven May has been suspended for one week. Picture: Getty

“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 judgment and it wasn’t to disrespect them or our values.”

Jake Melksham allegedly “floored” teammate Steven May. Picture: Getty

Entrecote restaurant in Prahran. Picture: Google Maps

May insisted the altercation would not affect his relationship with Melksham.

“We’re really good mates; we have a lot of love for each other,” he said.

“Sometimes guys can get a little bit competitive with the banter and go a little bit overboard.

“We’ve told our teammates we’re all fine, don’t feel like you have to pick sides or anything because we’re still good friends.

“It was just a silly decision that we made and deeply regret already.”

Prior to the fracas, the flag favourites had just lost their second game in a row, with a defeat against the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday night.

Entrecote restaurant is an institution among Melbourne’s social set. It is named after the famous “one-dish steakhouse” opened in Paris in 1959 that still has long lines of diners outside.

Set menus come in at almost $95, while private events spaces have a minimum spend of $6000.

Originally published as Steven May suspended after Melbourne players clash at posh French restaurant