Brebner comments on Scottish newspaper reports

Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner has expressed his “utter disbelief” that a Scottish newspaper has in any way linked him to the assault in Dundee of an accountant handling his financial affairs.

“I had a call from a reporter in Scotland asking me if Gavin McLeish was my accountant. He told me Gavin McLeish had been assaulted near his home, and to my utter disbelief the reporter said he believed it may have been because he was handling my financial matters”, Brebner said.

“To suggest this incident is in some way linked to me is ludicrous.”

Brebner has freely admitted he had a gambling addiction which has been under control for some time now. “I have a fantastic support group including close friends and family that understand my situation and help me to manage it on an ongoing basis.”

The Scotsman said time difference and his preparations for Victory’s match against New Zealand had made it difficult for him to find out more information about the story, but he had spoken to the police investigating the assault.

“They have assured me that it has nothing to do with me, and that’s pretty final,” Brebner said.

Speaking on behalf of Melbourne Victory, club CEO Geoff Miles said: “Grant has been honest and upfront with us since joining the club. He has been a leader on and off the field and we can see that he is genuinely shocked about the incident involving his accountant and any link of this incident to him.”

Melbourne Victory and Grant Brebner have nothing further to add and will make no further comment regarding this issue.