Michael Ian Spoehr charged with affray and assault following on-field junior football melee

A father and Ingle Farm supporter accused of affray and assault following an on-field melee at a junior football game has rubbished the accusations against him.

An Ingle Farm man accused of affray and assault following an on-field melee at a junior football game claims he only got involved to defend a female spectator.

Michael Ian Spoehr, 44, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday morning charged with two counts of assault and one count of affray.

Spoehr leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Spoehr was arrested following an ugly incident at an SANFL Juniors under-17.5 girls match on May 23 at Edwardstown Memorial Oval about 6.30pm between Ingle Farm and Edwardstown.

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

Michael Spoehr told reporters he got involved in the scuffle after defending a woman. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

In court on Thursday morning, Spoehr said he was seeking legal advice and did not enter a plea.

“Adjourn it, I’m seeking legal aid,” a nervous Spoehr said.

Then, outside court, the accused, whose daughter was playing in the game in May, said he would defend the charges.

“100 per cent, man,” Spoehr said. “It’s a misunderstanding. It’s a load of crap, mate.

“I was standing there minding my own business. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He said he got involved in the melee only to aid a woman who was allegedly “palmed in the face” after asking another spectator to stop filming her niece.

“I was helping a lady that was being assaulted, work that out,” he said. “He palmed the woman in the face… I thought I’d be a d******* if I didn’t help. I had three blokes coming at me.”

He said the charges were a “big-time” beat up. “I went home straight away (after the game),” he said.

Spoehr will next face court in October.