Clubs deny any involvement in brawl at Edwardstown and Ingle Farm junior girls football game

The SANFL will “likely” make a call on sanctions tomorrow after a teenage umpire was allegedly assaulted at a juniors match on the weekend.

The SANFL will “likely” make a call on sanctions tomorrow after a teenage umpire was allegedly assaulted on the weekend.

Both football clubs involved in the match, Ingle Farm and Edwardstown deny any involvement in a brawl that broke out at a SANFL Juniors Division 2 under-17.5 girls match.

Ingle Farm issued a statement on late Monday saying the events of Sunday did not involve any players, officials or parents from the club.

“There have been a lot of media reports over the last 12 hours regarding an incident involving our U17.5 girls side last night against Edwardstown,” club executives said in the social media statement.

“This incident does not involve any Ingle Farm players, officials or parents.

“We as a club are completing our own investigation, as well as working with the SANFL and SAPOL through their investigations to determine exactly what happened, and the club will act accordingly once all facts have been presented if deemed necessary.

“The Ingle Farm Football Club are disappointed by the situation and subsequent media releases and how it reflects on us as a club.”

Earlier on Monday, Edwardstown Football Club also issued a statement saying none of its “parents, supporters, officials or players were involved in (the) incident”.

SANFL spokeswoman Paula Brinkworth said the investigation of the weekend’s incident is ongoing.

“No findings or sanctions have been handed down as yet,” she said.

“Once we have an outcome, likely tomorrow, we’ll provide an update and speak to this.”

SAPOL said no one had been charged with any offences, and investigations are ongoing.

In September last year umpires and the SANFL spoke out, fed up with abusive, badly-behaved parents at matches.

At the time SANFL Juniors Manager Geoff Riddle said it was saddening the bad behaviour of a few was impacting on the experience for others.

“I am disappointed the minority are letting down the people who are doing the right thing and in particular, the kids who just want to play – you see on the kids’ faces their joy at being back on the footy field,” he said.

EARLIER: Police are investigating claims a 14-year-old football boundary umpire and his father were assaulted after a fight broke out in a girls’ football match.

Police were called to the Edwardstown Memorial Oval about 6.30pm on Sunday following reports of violence.

The SANFL, which also is investigating, said the melee broke out in the final quarter of a division 2 under-17 match between Ingle Farm and Edwardstown.

The match was subsequently called off by the field umpire.

The father said he used his mobile phone to film the aftermath of the fight on Sunday for his son’s protection, but an Ingle Farm parent “put me in a headlock” to stop him filming and his son was bashed when he came to his aid.

“It was really, really ugly stuff – we are both pretty shaken,” the man said.

“My son was boundary umpiring when a brawl erupted in the final quarter on the boundary line in front of the Ingle Farm coaching box.

“I filmed the immediate aftermath on my phone from behind the barriers in case my son or the SANFL needed a record, in the event that it escalated.

I was not on the field or in anyone’s face, just using my phone to record what happened. I ended up being jumped and assaulted by Ingle Farm spectators.

“My son came to my aid as an Ingle Farm spectator grabbed me from behind in a choke headlock but then he was punched multiple times in the face and thrown into a bench by the same adult spectator who assaulted me.

“My son is 14 and he was belted by an adult, it was crazy.”

The man has reported the incident to police, the SANFL and both clubs.

The melee occurred between players on the field and involved parents and other people.

Ingle Farm Football Club have declined to comment on the incident.

Edwardstown Football club acknowledged the incident.

“This involved a boundary umpire and two members of the crowd. We wish to state that no Edwardstown parents, supporters, officials or players were involved in this incident,” the board of directors said in a statement.

The SANFL confirmed it is investigating incidents relating to player and spectator behaviour during the SANFL Juniors Division 2 match.

“In accordance with SANFL Juniors policy, the match between Edwardstown Football Club and Ingle Farm Football Club held at Edwardstown Memorial Oval was called off by the field umpire midway through the final quarter after a melee occurred between players on the ground,” a spokesperson said.

“A subsequent incident shortly after involving spectators and a junior boundary umpire, which was reported to SAPOL, also is being investigated by SANFL.”

The spokesperson said SANFL Juniors has a strict code of conduct for players and spectators and it takes any breaches “extremely seriously”.

Southern District Police are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information regarding the assaults to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.