Man fined over disabled AFL fan assault

An intellectually disabled footy fan says he's scarred for life after being attacked by a rival spectator at a Melbourne AFL game.

William Dearing, 32, must pay $1000 to charity after admitting unlawfully assaulting Hawthorn fan Ben Ploegmakers following the club's loss to Melbourne in May.

"Since I have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, this is one of the worst things I have been scared of ... public humiliation," Mr Ploegmakers told Melbourne Magistrates Court in a statement on Tuesday.

"I saw a video (of the incident) on social media saying you got what you deserve."

"This has scarred me forever."

Dearing had been singing the Melbourne club song after its five-point win over Hawthorn on May 4 at the MCG when Mr Ploegmakers knocked the drink from his hand.

The 32-year-old responded by grabbing and pushing Mr Ploegmakers, and was banned from AFL games after media outlets shared video of the assault.

Dearing's lawyer, Greg Thomas, said his client was a hardworking and non-violent person who expressed remorse for the assault.

Magistrate Phillip Goldberg ordered Dearing be of good behaviour for 12 months and pay $1000 to the Cure For MND Foundation.

The man, who is also banned from AFL games and functions until May 2024, declined to comment as he left court.