Fevola claims abuse prompted incident

News: The controversy surrounding Brendan Fevola's expulsion from the Australian panel deepened yesterday when the player claimed days of abuse and racist taunts from the public prompted the violent incidents in a Galway nightclub on early Monday morning.

Four Aboriginal players are touring with the Australian team this year - Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Graham Johncock (Adelaide) and Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide).

While Fevola was the only Australian sent home it is also reported two other players could yet be implicated in the threatening behaviour.

Fevola has in fact taken a few days to "cool off" before returning to Australia and is understood to be staying with a friend in Norway. But in an interview with yesterday's Herald Sun, Australia's biggest-selling daily newspaper, Fevola says he boiled over because of repeated abuse by Irish fans.

"A few of the boys were at the casino playing poker and they (the Irish) were sledging the Aboriginal boys," he claimed.

"Pretty much wherever we go, they've been potting us. It was just getting beyond a joke. The Irish have just had us over here."

Fevola had apologised for the incident before leaving Ireland on Tuesday, but if charged with any offence will be required to return for a court hearing. But he has also described his attack as "minor", pointing to last year's violent series in Australia as the possible source of the abuse.

He said: "I followed him (the barman) out to have a bit of an argument and I grabbed him and got him in a headlock. That was it. I'm just glad I didn't hit him. I would've been in a lot of trouble if I'd hit him."

The Melbourne Age report that two other players were involved in the physical altercation, but weren't captured on the CCTV footage that led to Fevola's dismissal. Further investigations, however, could yet land them in trouble.

Fevola on . . .

THE INCIDENT: "There was a bit of banter going all night between everyone, so it just sort of boiled over and that was the end of it, I suppose.

"I followed him out to have a bit of an argument and I grabbed him and got him in a headlock and that was it. Then I left. Hally (Barry Hall) took me off him and I went outside and we went off to another pub. Then we went back . . . to apologise but he didn't want to accept that."

THE PENALTY: "I think it's a bit harsh, but they've got to look like they're doing something, I suppose. But it would have been different if I did hit him, then I would have thought I definitely (deserved to go home). I thought it was just a minor incident, but they've obviously acted to the maximum they probably can, I suppose. I won't be getting (the Carlton captaincy). Obviously I've stuffed things up there."

BEING LEFT OUT FOR THE FIRST TEST "I was pretty shattered, but that's got nothing to do with it. I didn't get to play for my country, which is pretty shattering, and I probably won't ever get the chance again. I can't believe I've let down my team-mates - and my country. It's stupid, but I don't think it's hit me yet."