Man attacked outside Etihad Stadium

A man has been bashed after trying to help a woman outside Melbourne's Etihad Stadium, police say.

The man saw a couple arguing as he was walking between the stadium and Southern Cross railway station at about 11pm (AEST) on Friday.

Police said he went to help when the man became physical towards the woman but was punched in the face a number of times and kicked by the man.

The victim, a 41-year-old from Ocean Grove, suffered a suspected broken eye socket.

He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital for treatment for his facial injuries.

The couple who had been arguing, who are aged between 20 and 30, left in a taxi near Gate 3 at Bourke Street.

The incident occurred shortly after the Carlton-Geelong AFL game at Etihad on Friday night but police could not confirm if those involved had been at the game.