Melbourne/New Delhi, Sep 25 - An Indian taxi driver was Friday assaulted by a star footballer in one more attack on Indians in Australia. Victoria premier John Brumby, in India on a visit, termed the incident as 'regrettable' and assured action against the attacker.

Essendon footballer Michael Hurley, 19, was briefly held for kicking and punching the unidentified Indian cabbie outside a fastfood centre after an altercation on Hoddle Street in Melbourne early Friday morning, the Herald Sun reported.

'It is regrettable. The club has indicated its regret and apologised,' Victoria premier Brumby, currently visiting India, told reporters in New Delhi.

'Concrete action will be taken against the footballer... We will not allow this kind of attack,' he said,

Brumby though sought to downplay the incident, saying the attack was a result of excess drinking. 'Michael is a good kid. It's not typical of his behaviour. He just went out and had too much to drink,' Brumby said. 'There's a lesson in here for everyone,' he said.