A shocking video has emerged of an ugly brawl between parents after a children’s soccer competition in Sydney’s west.
In the video, the parents storm the pitch and start pushing and shoving each other, forcing the two clubs into crisis talks.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Parents storm pitch after children’s soccer game.
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The clubs are concerned violence at the under-8s competition between the parents has escalated.
A concerned local resident told 7NEWS: “These are role models for these children and it’s just not acceptable.”
The referee was a child too … just 12 years old.
The match was between the Quakers Hill Tigers and Marayong Football Club.
Marayong president Naji El-Kazzi said: “The incident itself was disappointing. It’s not something we tolerate.”
And Blacktown and District Soccer Association director Bill Own said it was unacceptable.
“No eight-year-old should be subjected to that type of violence, to be anywhere near it or to see it on any level,” he said.
The governing body for both teams held crisis talks. in Blacktown on Tuesday.
7NEWS reporter Angelique Opie said the association was determined to stamp out such sideline violence.
Owen said there had been a change in parents’ behaviour after the COVID pandemic caused global chaos.
“Since COVID has come on, there’s been a slow ramping up of violence,” he said.
The Blacktown Football Association said it was investigating the moments leading up to the brawl.
Opie said the association knew who the offending parents were and it was likely they would face short-term suspensions.
“There has to be a level of accountability and responsibility and, knowing that, there will be consequences for those members that breached our rules and regulations,” Owen said.
“Our priority is the children.
“They come first, because everybody’s entitled to play the game.”