Surgeon says he got cut from prince's polo match

[July 07, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A polo match where England's future king was expected to showcase his riding skills whilst raising money for charity has instead turned into the scene of an ugly American spat.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Toby Mayer says he has helped stich up gashes and given first aid at Santa Barbara Polo Club matches for years. He was delighted when he was tapped to be on stand-by at Saturday's match in case of the Duke of Cambridge has a spill.

But Mayer told The Associated Press he was "deselected" on Tuesday after sending out a press release and giving interviews without permission from the prince's camp.

Event organizers say the doctor and longtime club member is an opportunist. They say he was never approved to provide medical services at the match.

[Associated Press; By NOAKI SCHWARTZ]

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