NSW:Benji says he pushed, he didn't punch

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2011
NSW:Benji says he pushed, he didn't punch

Wests Tigers star BENJI MARSHALL has told a Sydney magistrate he pushed a man after
being racially taunted by him.

Giving evidence in the Downing Centre Local Court today, MARSHALL denied punching SOLIMAN
NAIMEY outside a McDonald's in Sydney's CBD in the early hours of March 5.

He said that Mr NAIMEY repeated his racist comment twice, so he pushed him with an
open hand, but had no intention of harming him.

MARSHALL says before this incident he heard someone call out that DARREN LOCKYER was
better than him, but these were the sort of comments he heard every day.

The 26-year-old New Zealand Test captain has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr NAIMEY,
who says he was punched by the footballer after making the LOCKYER comment.

AAP RTV mss/ra/wjf/wf

KEYWORD: MARSHALL (SYDNEY)

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