Edwardstown and Ingle Farm football club players suspended over SANFL Juniors melee

A man has been charged over an ugly fight at a junior SANFL footy match at the weekend, which ended with a teenage umpire assaulted.

A man has been arrested and two junior footballers suspended over the ugly melee at an SANFL Juniors under-17.5 girls match at the weekend.

On Wednesday afternoon police charged an Ingle Farm man, 44, with two counts of assault and one count of affray.

He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in August.

One player from each of the Edwardstown and Ingle Farm football clubs were given one-match bans for striking by the SANFL on Wednesday for the on-field incident.

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

A melee caused the game to be called off by the field umpire midway through the fourth quarter.

Earlier on Wednesday, the league said investigations remain ongoing into involvement by club officials and spectators following the on-field incident to determine appropriate sanctions.

It was looking into alleged assaults on a spectator and junior boundary umpire.

Ingle Farm has withdrawn its team from the under-17.5 girls division two competition for the remainder of the season.

Edwardstown president Eddie Dessman said on Wednesday the club stood by its statement that none of its players, coaches, officials and parents were involved in the off field incident.

“We are fully cooperating with the SANFL and SAPOL with there ongoing investigations and hopefully soon the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Mr Dessman said.

SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said the league was “appalled and disappointed” by what had occurred over the past two weeks matches.

“While these incidents are severe, unfortunately they follow a growing pattern of unacceptable behaviour this season,” Mr Chandler said.

“As a league, we simply cannot continue to tolerate these kinds of incidents.”

“This latest penalty should act as a warning to all spectators attending junior matches that this type of inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We have over 13,000 players in National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors with the majority of players, volunteers and spectators doing the right thing.

SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler. Picture: Morgan Sette

“Unfortunately a minority are tarnishing what’s a great competition and experience for our kids.”

It followed claims a 14-year-old football boundary umpire and his father were assaulted following the on-field melee.

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.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the “disturbing” incident was being taken very seriously.

“Clearly it’s a disturbing incident where a young umpire has been assaulted,” Mr Stevens said

“There’s no room for this in sport, and people who think they can act this way under the banner of a sporting activity have got to rethink their behaviour.”

“We take it seriously and will investigate thoroughly.

“I’ll just remind people that this is children’s sport, let’s act like responsible adults and set a good example for young people and behave appropriately.”

Ingle Farm did not respond a request for comment.

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

The SANFL also revealed on Wednesday the Edwardstown Memorial Oval incident followed another game on Sunday, May 16 which resulted in a spectator being banned from attending any junior football match for 18 months

The male was sanctioned for his involvement in an on-field melee at halftime of an under-16s boys division three match between Gaza and Woodville South football clubs.