Ugly footy parent who attacked Broadford junior footy star on-field escapes police action

A FOOTY parent who assaulted a junior player in regional Victoria has escaped police action, despite witnesses who saw the man run on to the ground “like a steam train” and attack the child midgame. This is why.

A FOOTY parent who assaulted a junior player has escaped police action, despite witnesses who saw the man run on to the ground “like a steam train” and attack the child midgame.

The extraordinary display of ugly parent syndrome has outraged parents in a junior footy league in northeast Victoria, and they have slammed local authorities’ handling of on-field violence.

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Broadford under-14s player Caleb Keen said he felt the opposition team parent “come down kneeing me in the side of my head”.

“As I got up, he again punched me with his fist in the back of my head pushing me back to the ground,” he said.

The father will face a Seymour District Junior Football League tribunal this month.

Caleb Keen, 14, with his parents Kylie and Aaron after he was attacked during a junior football match game. Picture: Jason Edwards

Meanwhile, two cops have faced “management action” after complaints to the force’s Professional Standards Command.

But the criminal case has been dropped despite witnesses, and the victim, saying they were never interviewed.

Officers were called to Nagambie football ground on July 1 after parents and officials reported they had to pull the violent adult off Caleb, a gun junior and this year’s best and fairest winner.

Caleb Keen is a gun junior footballer and won this year’s best and fairest. Picture: Jason Edwards

Multiple witnesses confirmed they saw the 55-year-old Tabilk Junior Football Club volunteer and local racehorse trainer, knee and punch Caleb.

The umpire immediately reported the parent. But Nagambie police say they don’t have enough evidence to proceed.

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Witnesses have told the Herald Sun police have not taken their statements either.

Caleb’s distressed parents Aaron Frazer and Kylie Keen said an on-field assault of a child by an adult should be treated as seriously as any other crime.

Broadford Junior Football Netball Club President Alwin Neilson said the club was “bewildered” by the police handling of the complaints.

“We’re supposed to be there to protect these kids,” Mr Neilson said.

“This guy has had no punishment … to the kids, this sends a message that they aren’t safe. One thing that’s a blight on the sport is the ugly parents.”

Parents said the assault happened while Caleb and his opponent were in an on-field scuffle.

“All of a sudden, the man just came running like a steam train and bowled him over,” one mother said.

A team manager said the angry dad confronted him after he pulled him off Caleb.

“Caleb was having a scuffle with another kid … they were holding each other’s jumpers,” he said.

“The umpire was right there on the scene, he had full control. He (the parent) ran over … and just fully laid into him with his knee.”

Coach Rob Mortlock also said he saw the man knee and punch Caleb. He said police did not take his statement until late August.

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“I can still visualise it — I’ve never seen anything like it at junior sport,” Mr Mortlock said.

In a letter to the family, police said there was “insufficient evidence”.

Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said: “If anyone has any information in relation to the alleged assault and has yet provided a statement to police, please contact Seymour police on 57350 200”.

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