News Digest

84-year-old tycoon tumbles off the podium while presenting trophies

An Australian billionaire silenced a booing crowd when he fell off stage on to his head while presenting a football trophy. Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy was treated by paramedics for several minutes after he stumbled off a podium at the 2015 A-League Grand Final. The 84-year-old, however, escaped serious injury at Melbourne’s AAMI Park and presented Melbourne Victory players with their winners’ medals shortly afterwards. The Victory had beaten Sydney FC 3-0.

I want to thank everyone for the concern shown and support for me after my tumble at the Grand Final.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy

Mr Lowy, who founded the global chain of Westfield shopping malls, had been booed by spectators as he took to the stage, but there was stunned silence as he somersaulted more than a metre on to the turf. Applause then broke out from the 30,000-strong crowd when footage of the smiling tycoon was shown on the big screen. Lowy said: "I think everyone was as shocked as I was, but I’m grateful to be resting comfortably. I have a sore shoulder which might take some time to fully recover, but I should be okay.“