Brain surgery for Aussie chief Frank Lowy after podium fall

Sydney: Australian football chief Frank Lowy has undergone brain surgery for a condition likely caused when he fell from the presentation stage after the A-League grand final, his Westfield company said Tuesday.

The 84-year-old property and retail tycoon slipped and tumbled off the dais as he went to present Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat with the A-League championship trophy after their 3-0 triumph over Sydney FC in May.

"Late last week Frank Lowy underwent a surgical procedure to correct a complication most likely from his fall during the presentation at the A-League grand final in May," Westfield said in a statement.

"The procedure was performed in Europe where he is holidaying. He is now out of hospital and he is expected to make a full and rapid recovery."

Lowy had appeared to recover quickly from the fall, getting to his feet moments later and completing the post-match formalities.

But the statement said that he had begun to feel unwell a few days before the surgery and an examination revealed that he had a subdural haematoma -- something not uncommon after head trauma.

Lowy, who is chairman of Westfield Corporation, Football Federation Australia and the Lowy Institute for International Policy, is expected to return to Australia after a short convalescence.