Claims in the Kent online state Police are investigating an alleged assault at a football tournament attended by more than 800 children. The tournament was Deal Town Rangers Youth FCs tournament at the Goodwin Academy, Mill Road, Kent

The Kent online state it is believed a manager from a participating team is believed to have pushed a teenage referee to the ground in front of players as young as six.

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It has been confirmed that Police attended the scene between 1pm and 1.14pm on Saturday and are now appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward with information as to what happened. “It is being looked at by the police and after that it will be looked at by the Kent Football Association.

Deal Town Rangers Youth FC chairman Alan Clarke said to the Kent online: “An incident occurred at our two-day tournament between a manager and a referee. This was the biggest event ever with 110 teams from 30 clubs taking part, over 850 players in 305 games and in 10 age groups, It’s just a shame one incident marred the excellent event.”

A spokesman for Kent FA said the organisation was investigating the incident.

A spokesman for Grassroots Football – Paul Kirton which supports grassroots clubs throughout the UK – said reports of extreme violence are rare in comparison to the number of games played without incident. Although incidents of verbal abuse are currently at unacceptable levels and much more work needs to be addressed in this area, the reported levels of violence remains extremely low.

But while the organisation says incidents of this nature do happen and “can not be condoned” extreme incidents are very rare and there are a lot more positives in youngsters being part of the grassroots family.

For the full story http://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/police-called-to-youth-football-127663/