Hibs star Filipe Morais admits kicking casino-goer in head

The 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder pleaded guilty to assault at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today and was fined 500.

He got into an argument with Robert Brown on a night out at Maxims casino in Edinburgh on September 26.

Morais – who earns 1,300 a week – has not played for the team since October.

The court was told he arrived at the casino in York Place at 5.30am, with a friend and another man.

Shortly afterwards, witnesses saw Morais and his companions speaking to Mr Brown and an argument broke out.

Mr Brown was punched in the face and knocked to the ground down during a scuffle and Morais kicked his head as he lay on the ground.

He suffered a burst nose and a split lip and was treated by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Solicitor George More, defending, said Morais was being "pestered" by Mr Brown and lashed out "in frustration" after being provoked.

"Young footballers are quite often harassed or picked on or spoken to when they go out and my client went out that evening for a drink with a friend," said Mr More,

"My client kicked out when he was down as an act of frustration because the last part of his evening had been utterly spoiled by these two men.

"He was immediately regretful that he had done it," the lawyer added.

Morais has already been fined 800 by the club for being out the night before a match and expected to be docked two-weeks wages for the assault, said Mr More.

"These matters are treated very seriously by the club," he added.

He said Morais, whose fiancee and two-year-old child live in London, had only kicked out once at Mr Brown and had not been responsible for punching him or knocking him down.

Sheriff Frank Crowe said he had brought the fine down from 700 because Morais had no previous convictions and had admitted his guilt.

"If you engaged in this sort of behaviour on the football field a serious view would have been taken," said the sheriff.

"I'm sure you were provoked, but if you kick somebody on the head when they are lying on the ground I take a serious view of that.

"There are lots of folk in Edinburgh who look up to people like yourself in the public eye," he added.

Another man has also been charged in relation to the incident – Paul Whytock, 26, of Citadel Place, Edinburgh, denies two assaults and a breach of the peace and is expected to appear in court again next year.

Morais, of London Street, Edinburgh, signed for Hibs in July last year and has scored twice in 36 appearances.

In a statement released by Hibs, Morais said: "I am very sorry for all that happened and accept my punishment.

"I apologise to the supporters and everyone connected with Hibernian. "I have had a good rapport with the supporters.

"However I accept that my behaviour was well below the standards expected by the club. "I can only hope that people will understand that this was totally out of character and will not happen again."

Scott Lindsay, Chief Executive of Hibernian FC, said: "The club cannot condone this behaviour.

"Filipe accepts that what he did was wrong and was a bad example for the many thousands of young people who look up to football players.

"Filipe has apologised to the supporters and to the club.

"Now that the matter has been settled by the courts, Filipe will be dealt with through the club's own disciplinary procedure, the outcome of which will remain private between the club and player."

Do you know Robert Brown, contact the Evening News on 0131 6208733 or email [email protected].