Melbourne players Stephen May and Jake Melksham scuffle outside Prahran restaurant

Melbourne players Steven May and Jake Melksham were involved in a heated scuffle at a posh Prahran restaurant after the Demons’ second straight loss.

Jake Melksham gets some close attention from a rival rather than a teammate. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne players Steven May and Jake Melksham have been slammed by the club after an incident at a posh Prahran restaurant.

The players clashed at 9pm Sunday at Entrecote restaurant, on a weekend when May was out with concussion.

He has been suspended for a week by the club.

The Herald Sun put questions to the Demons last night about the incident, with the club releasing a statement just after 11.30am today.

Melbourne general manager of football performance Alan Richardson said the club was incredibly disappointed by the incident.

“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,” he said.

“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 missing from the Demons line up through injury. Picture: Getty Images

Jake Melksham was omitted from the team for the loss to Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

Richardson said May would be out this week following the incident.

“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. This will make him unavailable for both AFL and VFL selection,” he said.

“Steven and Jake will also complete community service through one of the club’s community partners to ensure they understand the responsibility and impact they have as role models within the community.

“Over the past three years, Steven has developed into one of our most important on-field leaders, and while the impact of not having him available for selection is significant, what is more significant to us is our culture and the commitment we have to live by our values.

Melbourne has suspended Steven May for a week. Picture: Getty

“Steven is extremely remorseful and accepts his actions were completely out of step with the expectations the club and his teammates have of him. He accepts the sanction handed down and makes no excuse for his poor judgment.

“We are proud of the culture we have built over the past few years and while we are disappointed with Steven’s behaviour, we back in his character and will support him to ensure he is armed to make better decisions for himself and the football club moving forward.”

A witness said the players started to “fight” inside but it “spilt outside.”

A manager at Entrecote restaurant declined to comment when asked if the club had apologised.

There were up to a dozen players at the restaurant, before tempers frayed.

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 Melbourne players Stephen May and Jake Melksham scuffle outside Prahran restaurant