Ricky Nixon’s partner speaks out after Nixon clashes with TV reporter Seb Costello

Police opened a case after disgraced former footy agent Ricky Nixon allegedly elbowed a reporter in the jaw during an ugly confrontation.

Police are investigating the alleged assault of a television reporter in Port Melbourne.

South Melbourne police have opened a case after it is alleged disgraced former footy agent Ricky Nixon assaulted Channel 9 reporter Seb Costello on Wednesday.

“It is believed an altercation occurred between two men and a man was assaulted on Bay Street,” a police statement said.

“No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.”

Costello was seen walking into the South Melbourne police station on Wednesday night, where it is understood he gave a statement.

Costello did not attend work on Thursday.

Channel 9 sources said he sought medical treatment on Thursday morning, with bruising found to the jaw and no structural damage or loosened teeth.

It comes as Ricky Nixon’s partner hit out at the treatment of him, saying he’s living a jail sentence in the public eye.

In a passionate defence posted on Facebook, Melissa Huynh wrote: “Doesn’t matter what he does and says … they (news outlets) will forever try to discredit him and ruin him. He’s living a jail sentence in their eyes. Sad but true. Imagine if it was their lives? Imagine if this happened to their family and friends??”

Huynh also labelled it “absolutely disgraceful” that Nixon’s planned new IV infusion business was being attacked.

Melissa Huynh and Ricky Nixon at Poker With The Stars at the Grand Hyatt. Picture: Rosanna Faraci

“So It’s OK for major pharmaceutical companies to push toxic chemicals into our bodies, approve plastic airbags to be cut and inserted into our breasts and buttocks, approve Botox & filler toxins for cosmetic reasons, approve addictive and dangerous sleeping pills, approve morphine and heroin for pain relief, approve antidepressants to suppress moods and emotions but it’s not OK to push for natural vitamins infusions because it’s potentially “risky” and “potentially harming us”?! Please!! Get a grip! IV vitamins infusion, cryotherapy, exercise, good healthy diet, natural supplements has been proven to be beneficial to our bodies.

“People are dying of cancer and other toxic-related health issues … time we find natural remedies to feed our bodies and souls … this is not new or the unknown … this practice is popular and been administered all over the world for a over a decade.”

Nixon in confrontation with TV reporter

Nixon allegedly elbowed TV reporter Seb Costello in the jaw after erupting into an ugly confrontation on the streets of Port Melbourne.

The disgraced former footy agent, who lives in the Port Phillip Bay area, was disgruntled at TV crews questioning him about his controversial IV Infusions business, which was reported in Wednesday’s Herald Sun.

Bystanders were shocked to see a flustered and shaken Costello reeling from Nixon, who was heated and upset.

Nixon was filming the exchange on his iPhone outside fish shop Hunky Dory on Wednesday afternoon.

Footage of Ricky Nixon confronting Seb Costello. Picture: Channel 7

The incident happened in Port Melbourne on Wednesday. Picture: Channel 7

Costello was reporting for A Current Affair. Picture: Channel 7

A Channel 7 news crew was also at the scene. Picture: Channel 7

Former AFL player manager Ricky Nixon lashes out over questions about his latest business venture. The full interview in 7NEWS at 6pm. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/uBlyrw2Apt

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 27, 2022

A Port Melbourne resident said: “It looked like there were heated words and some sort of confrontation, things had gone pear-shaped. It was quite a scene”.

Costello, A Current Affair reporter, was involved in a live radio cross at the time on 3AW.

It is understood he was weighing up whether to press charges against Nixon.

Shaken, Costello said he was still in shock when he was called by the Herald Sun.

Nixon told the Herald Sun he pushed the TV journalist after Costello “invaded his privacy”, and touched him as he probed him with questions.

“I turned around and pushed him out of the way with my elbow,” Nixon said.

“If anyone gets in my way, or anyone else did the same thing, if they are confrontationalists, then everybody in this world would do the same thing.

Seb Costello was doing a live cross at the time.

Ricky Nixon allegedly elbowed Costello.

“If he wants to carry on about it and say it’s assault, then go to the police. Mate, I will welcome them to my doorbell.

“He stepped inside my house and it is on camera and it was trespassing, it was an invasion of privacy and also I told him I did not want to speak to him and he still kept at it.”

Nixon said he had earlier called police himself to ask them to remove the waiting media pack outside his door, to which they declined.

“I did ring the police and ask them to come and they said they were too busy.”

A Channel 7 TV crew were also there to question Nixon about his new business ventures and was on the scene at Bay St to film parts of the fracas between the pair.

Seven reporter Teegan Dolling was also shoved by an angry Nixon as he tried to get into his door and away from the media.

“I was caught up in the collateral of them having an argument with each other,” Dolling later told the Herald Sun.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Herald Sun’s front page revealed Nixon had been slammed by doctors for pushing unproven intravenous infusion treatments to vulnerable Victorians.

Mr Nixon announced this week he was accepting bookings after striking up a partnership to offer IV Infusions for $350 for those who “want a totally revitalised life and feel”.

The fallen football identity’s latest venture follows the launch of his “ambulance” to provide mobile health services during the Covid pandemic.

Ricky Nixon was involved in an incident with Seb Costello on Wednesday afternoon.

Costello described what happened after he approached Nixon outside his home.

“I am in a bit of shock at the moment,” he told 3AW.

“In the process of speaking with Mr Nixon his elbow has made contact with my jaw.

“It is fair to say this is a first for me.

“We are going into these situations obviously asking questions with cameras rolling so I can appreciate how that is a provocative situation.

“The video will speak for itself.

“We’ll be providing that vision to police.”

While Costello was speaking live on air, Nixon then approached him again and could be heard in the background.

Costello can be heard on the recording saying: “Mr Nixon, calm down”.

He then informs Nixon he’s live on air and asks to speak to him in 10 minutes.

“You need to move out of my space please,” Costello then says.

Nixon can be heard complaining that Costello has invaded his privacy.

The reporter tells Nixon the vision of the incident will be going to police.

“Stand back. Can you please calm down,” Costello is heard saying.

Costello then asks to end the live interview early.

A Channel 9 spokesman said Costello was focusing on his health and wellbeing and would contemplate whether to push charges.

They added Costello went directly to the Nine Network following the alleged assault to file his story for A Current Affair, and would be seeking further medical attention.

“We are checking in with Seb and his wellbeing and making sure he is okay,” a Nine spokesman said.