A man has called on police to drop charges against him after he allegedly threw NRL journalist Paul Kent against a tree during a wild street brawl outside a pub.
Tamer Uzun, 35, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the altercation with the football commentator outside Totti's Rozelle on April 27.
Police allege the couple were involved in a heated verbal argument on the sidewalk of Evans Street that escalated into physical violence.
A widely shared video of the incident appears to show Mr Uzun throwing 54-year-old Mr Kent against a tree after the brawl spilled into the street.
On Friday, Mr Uzun's lawyer, Rose Cetin, told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court that she would ask police to drop charges against her client.
“Submissions have been made to withdraw the charges,” she said.
Deputy Chief Justice Theo Tsavdaridis adjourned the matter until next month to give the parties time to discuss the issue.
The court was informed that a “special prosecutor” had been appointed to handle the case.
Mr Uzun moved to have the charges dismissed after Mr Kent pleaded guilty to affray and was convicted for his role in the alleged brawl.
When handing down the verdict, the court heard that the sports journalist had already been drinking for eleven hours when he met Mr Uzun, who had just had dinner at Totti's.
Police allege Mr Uzun asked Mr Kent about a sports game before the conversation degenerated into a heated exchange of insults.
A video of the incident appears to show the two exchanging blows as the fight moved from the sidewalk to the street.
Mr Kent was given a two-year suspended sentence without conviction.
The court heard he suffered significant injuries, including six broken ribs and a collapsed lung, when he hit a tree and landed headfirst.
The 54-year-old was fired from his positions at Fox Sports and The Daily Telegraph following the incident.