By Cristina Hodgson • Published: 10 Dec 2019 • 8:12
Top English news as Children's Saturday football match turns into 20-strong mass brawl Credit: Shutterstock
WHAT should have been a fun Saturday under-15s football league match, turned within minutes into a mass scuffle allegedly involving up to 20 young players and spectators.
Police were called to the scene just after 12pm on Saturday to reports of a disturbance at a football match off Harrier Leys, Wixams.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Southam, of Bedfordshire Police confirmed there were between 15 and 20 people reportedly involved in an altercation at a youth football match.
From reports it is believed that the fight started when an individual ran ‘on to a pitch’ and punched one of the players, ‘a 14-year-old lad in the face.’
The incident provoked players and spectators to join in in the fight, though by the time the officers attended the scene, much of the disorder had been broken up.
Photos taken from the scene shows the 14-year-old St Joseph Youth’s player with blood dripping from his nose, the photo was shared on twitter with Martin Powell – who is a UEFA coach – stating ‘What’s the game coming to.’
What’s the game coming to when a manager from the opposition side runs on to a pitch and punches a 14 year old lad in the face. @fa @BedsFA @FootballGrf pic.twitter.com/O1ZFXQvFxw — ‘Poweley’ (@MartinPowell3) December 7, 2019
What’s the game coming to when a manager from the opposition side runs on to a pitch and punches a 14 year old lad in the face. @fa @BedsFA @FootballGrf pic.twitter.com/O1ZFXQvFxw
— ‘Poweley’ (@MartinPowell3) December 7, 2019
The photo shows the boy’s face covered in blood looking shocked after the incident. The tweet has got more than 3,300 retweets and 10,000 likes.
However some twitter users have argued that the UEFA coach had not stated all the details correctly.
Sport commentator Sam Matterface was among those to comment stating how “awful” the story was and hoped the incident is reported to the relevant authorities.
The Bedfordshire Football Association responded to Martin on Twitter and said: ‘Martin thank you for bringing this to our attention.
‘Our Safeguarding Office is in contact with the club Welfare officer and we will assist the police in their enquiry.’
‘We are in contact with the Bedfordshire FA over this incident, and would welcome any witnesses or anyone with relevant details to come forward.’
Bedfordshire police have stated: “We ask everyone to please refrain on speculating what happened while we carry out our investigation. We are in contact with the Bedfordshire FA & would welcome any witnesses or info. Call 101 quoting ref 190 of today.”
Another twitter user wrote: ‘These boys should be playing for the love of the game, so so sad, and terrible in the same breath!’
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.