MASTERCHEF judge George Calombaris has been fined $1000 after he assaulted a man at the A-League grand final in Sydney earlier this year.

Calombaris pleaded guilty in August to assaulting a 19-year-old fan at May’s season decider between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.

Magistrate Peter Miszalski on Friday said he was a fan of MasterChef but wanted to send a message that high-profile people wouldn’t simply get a slap on the wrist.

“It was a very public display of aggression,” he told the Downing Centre Local Court.

“I watched those programs many years ago and was very much a fan. To see a man like this come before the court is a tragedy.”

The court had previously heard Calombaris, 38, called the victim a “big-mouth man” and a “dodgy c***” before punching him in the abdomen.

After pleading guilty the celebrity chef stood down from his role as Victory’s No.1 ticket holder, banned himself from A-League games for 12 months and expressed sorrow for the incident.