Footy fan says MCG security bashed him, accuses MCC of trying to cover it up

A FOOTY fan who says security staff assaulted him at a MCG match, smashing his mobile phone, is accusing the Melbourne Cricket Club of trying to cover it up.

Richmond fan George Kalogiannis says he was bashed by security while trying to film supporters being kicked out of the MCG. Picture: Tony Gough Cats spoil Hodge's 300th

A FOOTY fan who says security staff assaulted him at a Melbourne Cricket Ground match, smashing his mobile phone, accuses the Melbourne Cricket Club of trying to cover it up.

Richmond fan George Kalogiannis has lodged a complaint with police.

He says he was put in a headlock, threatened, and thrown to the ground while trying to film other Tigers fans being ejected from the MCG.

“I felt like I was in Iraq or Syria or something,’’ he said. “I don’t feel safe going back to the MCG unless they change security.’’

Mr Kalogiannis said he noticed a group of Richmond fans being ejected from the ground during the Round 1 clash with Carlton and decided to film it.

“I heard one guy scream in agony, and that is when I took my mobile phone out,’’ he said.

“Next minute this monster with a big beard came up, smashed my phone, and got me in a headlock. The security guard went berserk,” he said.

“I’ve never been assaulted in my life, but he smashed me to the ground.’’

Richmond fan George Kalogiannis says he was bashed by security while trying to film supporters being kicked out of the MCG. Picture: Tony Gough

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Mr Kalogiannis said that after asking to see footage of the incident, he was told by MCC security chiefs that it had occurred in a CCTV black spot; and later, that the incident had not been filmed owing to a faulty camera.

“They’ve spent all this money on security but, conveniently, this camera just happens to not work,’’ he said.

“Whenever there is an incident, they say there is a black spot. But they also say they’ve done all these security upgrades around the ground.

“So how can this happen?’’

The MCC declined to say why the footage was not available, or whether it would review security arrangements.

But the MCC’s Prue Cichello said that it was “aware of an incident ... between a patron and a security representative during an eviction at the stadium in Round 1’’.

“The MCC immediately referred the matter to Victoria Police, who were on the scene at the time the incident occurred, and have co-operated fully with a subsequent police investigation,” she said.

“The matter is now being progressed in the criminal justice system, and as such we cannot make any further comment at this time.’’

Hannah Rowlands, speaking on behalf of Victoria Police, said that a Meadow Heights man, 32, would be charged on summons with wilful damage and unlawful assault.

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