Melbourne/New Delhi, Sep 25 - An Indian taxi driver was assaulted by an Australian star footballer in Melbourne in an incident that visiting Victoria state premier John Brumby termed as 'regrettable', even as he assured India he will give a progress report on probes into such attacks and proposed separate housing and transportation for Indian students.

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.

Hurley took a taxi outside a South Melbourne nightclub about 5.30 a.m. and went to a food outlet on Hoddle Street. When the driver pursued him asking for fare, Hurley allegedly kicked him in the groin and punched him.

Paul Hamilton, general manager of operations at Essendon Football Club, confirmed that 'Hurley had been involved in an incident overnight'.

He said Hurley was questioned by police at the Fitzroy police station for his brawl with the taxi driver. He was, however, released later.

The footballer was not charged with any offence, Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the alleged attack was over a fare dispute and Hurley was likely to be charged for assault related offences.

Between June and August, around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities in Australia.

Brumby, who is leading a nine-member delegation, met Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal in New Delhi Friday morning.