A coach of an under 15 girls’ soccer team who allegedly assaulted a match official on Father’s Day has been temporarily banned from the sport.
Key points:
- A soccer linesman went to police after allegedly being hit by a coach
- The coach has been charged with assault
- Football SA has suspended the coach
Police said a volunteer linesman went to the Hindley Street police station on Sunday to report he had been assaulted at Ellis Park in the city’s western parklands.
Football SA named the linesman’s club as Adelaide Comets FC.
It is alleged there was an altercation with the coach of the other junior team playing — White City FC — and he was punched in the face.
Football SA chief executive Michael Carter told ABC News a match official provided a warning to the coach with a yellow card and then issued a red card after the linesman was hit.
“As a result of the red card, the coach was sent from the ground,” Mr Carter said.
The linesman was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with facial injuries.
A 48-year-old Woodville West man has been reported for assault and will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
ABC News: Candice Prosser
)Football SA said it had immediately suspended the coach, preventing him from participating or attending any soccer activity associated with the sport’s governing body.
In a statement, White City FC said it had stood down the coach.
“White City FC has zero tolerance of any violent conduct,” it said.
“We will work closely and collaboratively with Football SA on this matter.”
Both men had daughters in the match.
Coach to face discipline from Football SA
The matter will be referred to a disciplinary committee hearing, Football SA said.
“When we heard of the incident we immediately suspended him, the individual, from participating in any football related activities,” Mr Carter said.
“We will be sending that matter directly to the disciplinary tribunal and the process will take place from there and obviously SAPOL will deal with the matter as they see fit.”
He said he was appalled to hear about the alleged assault.
In May, an Ingle Farm man was charged with assaulting an umpire and a spectator at a junior girls’ Australian rules football match in Edwardstown.
The SANFL said it was part of a trend of bad behaviour at junior matches.
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