Abbeville Park: Parent of Whitford FC player charged after allegedly choking 11y/o boy from Mindarie FC

A parent has been charged after he allegedly choked an 11-year-old boy during a junior soccer match in Perth’s north. Police said the incident happened after an altercation broke out during a match at Abbeville Park in Mindarie between 11am and 1pm on Sunday. It is alleged an 11-year-old Mindarie Football Club player was set upon by a parent of another player, from the visiting team Whitford City Football Club, during a dispute about a call made during an under-12s match. A 46-year-old Watermans Bay man is accused of grabbing the young boy’s neck. However, the boy was not seriously hurt. Following an investigation by Joondalup detectives, the man was charged with one count of of impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck. He is due to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates court on June 6. In a statement posted online, Whitford City Football Club said the parent had been “banned from all club activities with immediate effect, pending the outcome of legal proceedings”. “The club is cooperating fully with the authorities,” the club said. “We take matters of this nature extremely seriously, and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all players, families, and volunteers. “As the matter is now before the court, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.” Mindarie Football Club president Lee Hughes said the club’s “immediate priority” was to ensure the young victim and his family were receiving their “full support”, “During a junior match at Abbeville Park on Sunday, a serious incident occurred involving an opposition spectator and one of our young players,” Mr Hughes said. “We are cooperating fully with the opposition club and the relevant authorities. “While passion and competitiveness are part of football, we must always remember the game is for the players — especially the children. “Their safety, enjoyment, and development come first.” A Football West spokesman said the accused man could face a lifetime ban from soccer matches held under the body. “Football West condemns all violence at sporting events,” they said. “We are committed to safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of children, officials and spectators, to ensure they can enjoy football in a safe and supportive environment. “Football West works extensively with SportWest and other sporting bodies to promote positive sideline behaviour. “Any individual found to have breached the Football West Code of Conduct and/or Spectator Code of Behaviour will face sanctions, including a possible ban from all Football West matches.” The soccer body said they would help police with their investigation if required.