Taylor Swift's father accused of punching Australian photographer in the face

MELBOURNE, Australia — A photographer told police Taylor Swift's father punched him in the face on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday, hours after the pop star's Australian tour ended.

Ben McDonald said he provided police with a statement alleging that Scott Swift assaulted him at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where the father and daughter had just come ashore from a yacht.

The veteran paparazzo said he decided to report the attack to police despite not being seriously injured.

"It was just a punch in the chops. It's a little tender, but I don't have any bruising and it didn't require medical assistance," McDonald said.

"In 23 years, I haven't been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent's dad," he added.

Taylor Swift's rep says media acted 'aggressively,' police investigating

Taylor Swift's representative accused members of the media of aggression during the interaction.

"Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water," Swift's rep said in an emailed statement shared with USA TODAY.

The New South Wale Police Force media office confirmed that police were investigating the alleged assault of a 51-year-old man by a 71-year-old man at 2:30 a.m. Police did not release names, in accordance with their policy for such allegations.

Taylor Swift left the country on a private jet Tuesday, after more than 600,000 fans saw the Australian leg of her Eras Tour at seven Australian stadium concerts. Swift's tour continues with six shows in Singapore before taking a two-month break.

Rebel Wilson, Kate Walsh attend night two of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Sydney

McDonald said media had been waiting to photograph the star as she walked with her entourage from a jetty to two waiting cars.

"There were about four or five security there and at one point, one of the American security started shoving his umbrella into me and my camera and then Taylor got in her car," McDonald told The Associated Press.

"Someone else came running at me and punched me in the left side of my face. Initially, I thought it was an Australian security that was trying to be the hero of the moment in the front of the Americans, but as it turned out it was her father," McDonald added.

McDonald said he realized that his alleged assailant was not a part of the security detail after seeing a photo of him holding Swift's hand while reviewing photos from the evening. McDonald later identified Scott Swift from an online picture.

McDonald said there had been no cause for violence.

"We didn't go rushing down the jetty. We didn't go rushing to the back of the boat. We waited for her to come up. Kept it very civil," he said.

"But no, they had to be (expletives) and put the umbrellas up and umbrellas over her and then shove the umbrellas into our faces and then make out that we're the ones making contact with them," he added.

Taylor Swift's Australia Eras Tour run: Suprise songs, album updates

Swift's Eras Tour Australia run has been eventful, as the singer debuted new mashups, added surprise songs to the setlist and announced new songs from her upcoming album.

Swift announced "The Albatross" as a new bonus track of the 17-song album of her 11th era, "The Tortured Poets Department" during her first night performing in Sydney before an electric crowd of 81,000 Swifties.

The back screen displayed a third cover art for "Poets" along with the words "The Albatross," which will serve as track No. 18 and be released on a special vinyl. The back of the art image says, "Am I allowed to cry?"

Swift made a similar move in Melbourne with her announcement of "The Bolter."

Contributing: Rod McGuirk, The Associated Press; Bryan West, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Swift's dad: Photographer alleges assault in Australia on tour