Depressed Indian driver waiting for apology in Australia

MELBOURNE: An Indian cab driver who was allegedly kicked and punched by a drunk star footballer in Australia says he is "depressed", has stopped driving and is awaiting an apology for the incident.

"I am not driving today. I am feeling depressed," the cabbie Onkar Singh Bains said. He said, "I have given a five page statement to the police."

Essendon football player Michael Hurley was arrested for kicking and punching Bains outside a fast-food outlet on Hoddle Street here.

According to Herald Sun report today, 19-year old Hurley is expected to be charged for the alleged assault on the cab driver after a boozy night following 'The Footy Show' finale.

The report quoted Bains as saying that he had been asked by police not to speak to the media about the altercation.

The incident assumed wider dimension with the Victorian Premier John Brumby calling on Hurley to apologise for the incident.

But, a pained Bain's said neither Hurley nor anyone from Essendon had contacted him. "There has been no apology."

The footballer's father Damian said, "It remains to be seen if he has anything to apologise about."

Speaking at his Rosanna home this morning he said his son would not be making any statement on legal advice.