Barnsley man arrested over violence at youth football tournament

The 38-year-old was arrested following a brawl during the final of a football tournament in Bishop Aukland, County Durham, last weekend.

Police officers were called after a man ran onto the football pitch five minutes before the final whistle.

The man, believed to be a parent of a child playing, is alleged to have confronted one of the opposition players.

Witnesses said a number of people became embroiled in the melee, during which one teenage boy was trampled.

Paramedics were called to the scene.

Former World Cup referee George Courtney said "In all the years I have been involved in local football I have never witnessed arrests like this.

"Parents must set a good example and the referee must take a tough stance on this kind of abhorrent behaviour."

A police spokesman said: "We received a call at around 4.30pm on Saturday, July 9, reporting a disturbance at Bishop Auckland College where a football tournament had been taking place.

"Officers attended and two people were arrested in connection with the incident, a 38-year-old man from Barnsley and a 14-year-old boy from the Bishop Auckland area. Both have been bailed pending further inquiries."

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Durham Constabulary on 101.