Symonds started brawl, claims bar patron

Sydney, Nov 30 (UNI) It seems as if Andrew Symonds' woes are never-ending, as the bar patron, who was involved in the Brisbane hotel altercation with him, claimed that the troubled all-rounder elbowed him without provocation.

The man, who was identified as Robert, said he was just trying to click a picture with Symonds when the burly all-rounder lost his cool and hit him with his elbow.

''I approached him (Symonds) and, although I never asked for his permission, put my arm around him, not aggressively, and took a photo on my phone,'' the 22-year-old Robert said.

''It was not my intention to offend him, nor was it to upset the group he was drinking with.

''(But) as I took the photo, he turned without saying anything (and) elbowed me in the jaw with his right elbow. I asked 'what was that for? I'm a fan'. He said, 'I'm here to drink with friends, not deal with arrogant fans','' he recalled.

Robert further said the altercation has ended his long-time admiration for Symonds.

''I was shocked. I was a huge fan. I'm not any more,'' he was quoted as saying by 'The Sunday Telegraph'.

However, the 33-year-old all-rounder had said he did not get physical during the incident.

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