A 46-year-old man has been charged after allegedly strangling an 11-year-old boy in the middle of a football game.
The alleged incident unfolded at Abbeville Park in Perth’s north sometime between 11am and 1pm yesterday as Mindarie Football Club hosted Whitford City Football Club.
The 46-year-old Whitford City father allegedly approached the boy mid-game and put his hands around his throat in front of dozens of children and parents.
The boy wasn’t injured and didn’t require medical treatment but the Waterman’s Bay man was charged with impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck.
Whitford City FC said the man was immediately banned from all club activities pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
“The club is cooperating fully with the authorities,” it said in a statement.
“We take matters of this nature extremely seriously, and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all players, families, and volunteers.
“As the matter is now before the court, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Mindarie FC club president Lee Hughes said the club’s first priority was the child and family’s wellbeing and it would cooperate with authorities and the rival club.
“While passion and competitiveness are part of football, we must always remember the game is for the players especially the children,” he said in a statement.
“Their safety, enjoyment, and development come first.”
Football West, the state’s lead body for the sport, warned the man could face a lifetime ban if he had breached its sporting codes.
The 46-year-old will face Joondalup Magistrates Court on June 6.
