Grant Hackett questioned in Melbourne after flight altercation

Former Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett has been questioned in Melbourne after an alleged altercation on a flight.

Grant Hackett pictured as he ended his swimming career in the 200 freestyle final at last week’s Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide. Picture Dean Martin

Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Grant Hackett has been questioned by federal police following an alleged altercation on a flight to Melbourne.

Hackett, who failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games last week, was taken into custody by Australian Federal Police in Melbourne after having to be restrained on a Virgin flight between Adelaide and Melbourne. It’s alleged he complained after the passenger in front of him reclined their seat.

In a statement, the AFP confirmed “a 35-year-old man was spoken to however at this time no charges have been laid. Enquiries in relation to this matter are continuing.”

Virgin Australia also confirmed there was an incident on the flight.

Seven News reported police sources as saying that during the flight Hackett “went to the toilet for an extended period, taking a bag with him. He emerged aggressive and agitated, taking offence to a male business class passenger who reclined his seat.” Hackett had reportedly yelled abuse and grabbed the man on the chest before crew restrained him and radioed ahead to Federal Police.

Seven reported that Collingwood AFL club CEO Gary Pert helped Hackett off the plane. It also broadcast a photo purportedly showing Hackett slumped in a wheelchair at Melbourne Airport after he was wheeled off the flight following the altercation.

Photo obtained by 7 News. The person who took the photo says it shows Grant Hackett at Melbourne Airport. #7News pic.twitter.com/YUS7fdNJIa

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) April 17, 2016

Swimming Australia was still deciding whether to issue a statement about the alleged incident but SA president John Bertrand told Seven that the swimming body would wait to see what facts emerged.

Hackett’s management company told SA it would not be making any comment on the alleged incident at the moment.

2GB radio host Ray Hadley reported the alleged incident occurred when a passenger sitting in front of Hackett in business class reclined his seat.

He says Hackett was taken off the Virgin Australia flight at Melbourne airport by Australian Federal Police for questioning by Victoria police.

Hackett was bound for the Gold Coast.

Hackett was a guest speaker at an Adelaide Crows function on Saturday night.

The Olympian was a guest commentator for the Seven Network at the recent Olympic qualifiers after his own events wrapped up.

Hackett — 36 next month — had last week hoped to become the oldest swimmer to make an Australian team at the Rio trials in Adelaide by cracking the 4x200m freestyle relay squad.

However, Australian coach Jacco Verhaeren had said that Hackett would be invited back to provide guidance to his national team in their bid to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking in the Rio pool in August.

Grant Hackett and former wife Candice Alley.

Sunday’s incident is the latest in a private life marred with turbulence. In late 2011, Hackett trashed his and former wife Candice Alley’s Melbourne apartment, up-ending a piano and smashing furniture in a drunken rage.

The couple divorced in 2012.

Hackett has also spent time in a US rehabilitation centre for treatment for addiction to sleeping pills.

The stint came after he was photographed partially nude in the early hours of the morning at Melbourne’s Crown hotel, searching for his then four-year-old son.