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Men fight at kids' match
CHILDREN sobbed and parents watched in horror as two men traded blows in a touchline punch-up at a South Yorkshire junior football tournament.
The under-7s match had to be abandoned as the pair brawled twice, leaving one man suffering concussion after allegedly being kicked in the head.
Up to 100 people, including distraught youngsters, witnessed the incident during a competition organised by Wickersley Youth FC in Rotherham.
Officials confirmed the pair were the manager of a Dodworth Miners' Welfare Junior Football Club team and a dad, whose child was playing in the team.
Dodworth were playing a Chesterfield side in the quarter-finals on Sunday when fighting broke out.
The game was halted while appalled spectators broke it up, but before the match could restart the pair began fighting again.
Spectators said the dad was knocked to the ground and kicked before onlookers could intervene. He was treated for concussion by paramedics before being taken to hospital for checks.
A police spokesman said the other man was arrested on suspicion of assault and taken to Rotherham Main Street police station where he was interviewed before being bailed.
One dad, who asked not to be named, said he was disgusted by the incident - and called for the manager to be immediately sacked.
He added: "It shouldn't happen at any match but particularly with under-7s involved, some of them were in tears.
"If you have a difference of opinion you sort it out in an adult manner, you don't start throwing punches at a kids' football tournament.
"We were having a great day and the kids were really enjoying themselves. Afterwards I didn't feel like watching any more football."
The match was part of a two-day tournament involving 102 clubs held at Wickersley Comprehensive School.
Wickersley Youth FC chairman Bob Sanderson said: "The whole club is devastated. You don't expect anyone in kids' football to be involved in touchline violence.
"It's unacceptable. A successful tournament was marred by this incident."
Carol Griggs, Dodworth Miners' Welfare JFC club secretary, said the club had been shamed and she was meeting both men to get their accounts before the committee met to decide what action to take.
She said: "We're totally shocked.
"We don't condone this behaviour, especially in front of children, and I can assure everyone the manager will be disciplined by the committee.
"It was an isolated incident, I've been secretary for 13 years and never known anything like this."
Mrs Griggs said she would also be sending a report to Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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