Viral Youth Soccer Brouhaha Gets National Attention

Winter Park Police Department

A youth soccer incident in Florida sparked national attention and outrage, with everyone from Robert Griffin III to Ms. Rachel weighing in.

The clif notes: A family alleged on social media that police were called on their 3-year-old son for being “too good” and dominating his i9 Sports league. But a slew of documentation from the Winter Park Police Department, including body camera footage and 911 audio call, paints a more layered picture.

i9 is a youth sports franchise platform for non-competitive local rec leagues; none of its territories are corporately-owned.

A league official told the dispatcher and cops the family was being “disruptive” after he intervened because the “very advanced” child kept pushing other kids. The rep also said he had a previous conflict with the family over playing time.

“I just want them out immediately,” the man told cops, claiming the incident escalated to include other parents. The rep also asked for help facilitating a refund for the family. The family told cops the conflict was because “he’s good at soccer … they have an issue with a 3-year-old,” before leaving.

“I kind of want to see him play,” one of the cops said at the end of the body camera footage. “I bet he’s good.”

The child’s mother told HuffPost the incident “traumatized” her son, who was said to be playing up against 5-year-olds. The child has since secured a spot with a developmental program run by a former U.S. Men’s National Team player.

The family has also launched a GoFundMe to “to [protect his] passion for soccer and making sure this moment does not define his journey."

Winter Park PD’s statement:

The Winter Park Police Department was contacted by a soccer league official who requested response to a disturbance between league officials and the parents of a player. The league requested the family leave and offered to refund the league cost to family. Shortly after arrival, the officers were requested by the league official to communicate with the family as he did not want to further a disturbance. The family stated the game was over and they were leaving. The family was cooperative with the officers and were provided with an event number for the incident at their request. The incident was a civil matter between those parties and not criminal. No one was arrested, trespassed, or forced to leave the park. The officers’ body-worn cameras confirm the above information.

i9 Sports’ statement:

We are aware of concerns being shared regarding an incident at a local i9 Sports program, and we take them very seriously. The respectful treatment and well-being of every child and family matter deeply to us. We have reached out to the family and have begun a review that includes speaking with everyone involved. While we work to understand the circumstances, we will not speculate or share unverified information. We appreciate everyone who has brought their concerns to our attention.