AFL stars Steven May and Dion Prestia have been interviewed and released pending further inquiries over a Boxing Day brawl on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula that left two men in hospital.
Victoria Police advised this morning that the players, along with a 26-year-old Blairgowrie man, were expected to be charged on summons with affray and recklessly cause injury for their alleged roles in an altercation near Sorrento’s Continental Hotel in December.
But police have since advised that the three men have been interviewed by detectives and “released pending further inquiries”.
No charged have been laid against either of the men.
Rye man Will Salter suffered a fractured nose, broken eye socket and detached retina during a fight that left him legally blind in one eye.
In a statement to police, the 22-year-old accused Demons defender May of punching his friend in the face.
Police allege Tigers midfielder Prestia was also involved.
Salter was out with friends at the popular Continental Hotel in Sorrento on Boxing Day, where he claims a group of men including May and Prestia were celebrating a buck’s night.
Salter claims the group followed him down Point Nepean Road, where an altercation ensued in the early hours of December 27.
”There were words between my group and the other group for a bit … then I saw Steven May yelling and screaming, ‘come on, let’s go’, and then I saw him punch (my friend) to the face and then it was on,” Salter alleged to 9News.
“Whilst I was on the ground, I was kicked multiple times to the back of the head, and all over, but I couldn’t see who was doing this as I was trying to protect my face.”
Both players deny any wrongdoing.
Salter was taken to hospital at the time and is now unable to work as an apprentice electrician.
Another man was also hospitalised after suffering seizures and low blood pressure.
9News is not suggesting the allegations against the Richmond and Melbourne players are true, or that they were the people who caused the injury.
Any witnesses, anyone with vision or information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
