Marlion Pickett and AFL fan separated by security after supporter touched the Richmond star in ugly scenes… as footy great calls for lifetime ban

Calls have been made for a footy fan to be banned for life after AFL star Marlion Pickett was touched by a supporter at the MCG.

Richmond star Pickett was seen in a heated exchange with the spectator who was sat on the boundary during the Tigers’ defeat by the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. 

Footage from the match broadcast showed the fan leaning over the fence and touching Pickett, who had to be separated from the individual by a security guard.

7Sport reporter Abbey Holmes provided more detail on the ugly incident.

‘There was a very interesting incident throughout this third quarter. Bontempelli had just kicked his third goal, and you can see there, Marlion Pickett with a member in the crowd,’ Holmes said as the incident was shown on TV.

A footy supporter touched Richmond star Marlion Pickett during Richmond’s game on Friday

The footy star and the fan had to be separated by security after the incident

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‘He got grabbed and straight away reacted, knocked his drink off.

‘You don’t like to see that. Crowd in attendance can never touch players in that way.

‘So, (Richmond footy boss) Tim Livingstone as well, just his hand around Marlion Pickett, just making sure that he is okay.

‘You don’t see that very often in AFL. That is absolutely not on. Security was straight there on the scene.

‘Hopefully Marlon is okay.’

Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said the member of the crowd was fortunate not to be punched by Pickett, while Jordan Lewis called for a life ban. 

‘You never ever, ever, ever touch a player on the ground. I don’t care who you are. That fan right there should be banned for life,’ Lewis said. 

More to follow.