Black eye for soccer

Player attacks referee and sends him to the hospital
Boy charged with felony battery

A 14-year-old soccer player from Agoura Hills who allegedly struck and injured a referee during a game on Sat., Oct. 4 has been arrested by police and charged with felony battery.

According to witnesses at the game at Deerhill Park in Oak Park, the player became angry when the referee, Gary Saxer of Agoura Hills, produced a yellow card warning the boy about an illegal slide tackle that he had made on an opposing player. The boy punched the referee several times and bloodied his face, said witnesses, who called the police and fire department.

The boy was arrested three days later following an investigation by authorities. He was expelled from the league.

"The referee sustained injuries that were quite extensive, requiring medical treatment at the scene and in a hospital emergency room and he will continue to receive medical treatment for those injuries in the days and weeks to come," Jim Lyon, AYSO Region 4 commissioner, said in a statement. The region includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village and Oak Park.

The boy, whose identity is being withheld by police because he is a juvenile, was charged with felony battery and released to the custody of his parents, said Det. Jason Robarts of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. The case will be handled through the juvenile court system, Robarts said.

Saxer was taken by ambulance to Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks where he was treated for a cut on his upper lip, a nasal fracture, and a cut on the bridge of his nose. Saxer has been an AYSO volunteer for 12 years, although his own children are grown and have not played in the league for five years.

The attack was not the only incident that took place on local soccer fields last weekend.

"We had an unprecedented number of issues ranging from the assault on a referee to dissent on the sidelines to misunderstandings between coaches and referees and parents and volunteers," Lyon said.

During a game for boys under 12 at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas, a coach challenged the assistant coach of the opposing team to a fight following the contest. Several players overheard the exchange. The assistant coach walked away, declining to fight.

"Frankly I was a little taken aback by the whole thing," said the assistant coach who asked to remain anonymous. "It's a black day for everybody in youth sports."

Last Tuesday, AYSO began sending letters to coaches, parents, referees, players and volunteers urging positive coaching and sportsmanship.

"Any acts of violence by coaches, spectators, or players will be reported and, when appropriate, we will seek prosecution," Lyon said.

At an Oct. 6 board meeting, AYSO leaders said stress levels at games have been high due in part to the economic problems facing families and individuals.

"The stresses, anxieties and the very real difficulties that many in our community are experiencing are sometimes manifesting themselves in negative ways at the soccer fields and in less than civil discourse in addressing concerns and resolving issues," Lyon said. "AYSO and Region 4 are fully committed to providing a fair, safe, and fun environment in which our children can learn and play the game of soccer. The Region 4 Board of Directors will do everything within its power to make sure these standards are maintained."