AFL star Steven May has been banned for one game and reprimanded by his team after an alcohol-fuelled bust-up with Melbourne teammate Jake Melksham.
Melbourne released a statement on Tuesday morning (June 7) outlining their disappointment in May who was ‘incredibly remorseful for the incident’.
The incident happened at a team dinner where both May and Melkshan had been drinking, when a ‘lighthearted disagreement’ escalated.
Melbourne football manager Alan Richardson confirmed that May should not have been drinking as he was under concussion protocols.
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In a statement, 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.”
The statement outlined the one-match suspension was handed down by the leadership group as a means of highlighting to the players the importance of their position as role models.
In June 2019, May apologised to his Melbourne teammates after spending an afternoon drinking at a Melbourne bar while injured.
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The statement continued: “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.
“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.
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“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 judgement.
“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.”
Melbourne have been off to a flyer in the first 10 games of the AFL season, but have suffered two successive losses to Fremantle and Sydney.
Topics: Australia Afl, Australia
Jayden Collins