Police investigate ‘sickening’ attack at Sydney OzTag match

Former NRL referee turned Australian OzTag CEO Bill Harrigan has blasted a horrific incident during a match in Sydney.

Shocking footage has emerged of a violent attack on a 38-year-old man during an OzTag match in Sydney on Monday night.

Footage shared by 2GB’s Drive with Chris O’Keefe appears to show two men punching a player to the ground before one of the men kicks him.

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O’Keefe revealed the man who was punched to the ground was left with a broken jaw, which will require surgery in coming days.

“As I was watching this video, I thought whoa,” he said.

“I’ve seen some pretty violent stuff but this one was violent.”

NSW Police shared a statement on the incident with news.com.au.

Sydney OzTag match rocked by violence.

“About 7.30pm on Monday (27 May 2024), emergency services were called to Wentworth Park Oval, Wentworth Park Road, Glebe, following reports of an assault,” the statement read.

“On arrival, officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command were told a group of people were playing an Oztag game when a 38-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by two other male players – yet to be formally identified – at the time of incident.

“The two men left the scene before police arrived.

“The 38-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition with facial injuries.

“A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident has commenced.

“As inquiries continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Former NRL referee and CEO of Australian OzTag spoke with O’Keefe on 2GB about the incident.

“Sickening,” Harrigan said of the incident.

“I had to replay it a couple of times because it’s horrific. It’s one of the worst that I’ve seen.

“Disgraceful. That’s the only way to put it.”

Harrigan said he had spoken to those involved and learned what had happened.

“I’ve spoken to the referee, I’ve spoken with the licensee of Wentworth Park OzTag, I know both of those have spoken to the police today,” he said.

“I’ve also spoken to the victim. I was surprised when he answered the phone, but I did speak with him. He told he had a broken jaw, which he’ll have attended to in the next day or two.

“He told me exactly what happened, the referee told me exactly what happened and it’s just a horrific set of circumstances.

“So what’s going to happen, police are investigating now, detectives have got hold of it. I’m glad somebody took video of it so we can see it and do something about it. And Australian OzTag will not have those players play ever again.”

2GB shared the horrific video. Photo: Instagram

One of the men also kicked the man on the ground. Photo: Instagram

Harrigan said the incident was sparked when a player was running down-field and a player went to tag him, missed the tag and pulled his shirt instead.

He added it was a “common thing” and is generally penalised straight away, which it was in this instance as well.

Harrigan added the referee had told him the alleged attack was unprovoked, adding that the victim was walking away from the incident.

Of the two men, Harrigan said: “Those blokes won’t play OzTag again ever. Regardless of what the investigation with the police ends up with, there’s no way they’ll be playing OzTag again.

“Horrific. Won’t condone it. No way in the world will we have that in our game.”

Originally published as Police investigate ‘sickening’ attack at Sydney OzTag match