A youth football match in Collegno, Italy, ended in a shocking outbreak of violence, surprisingly involving parents who were present to support their children. The intervention of adults, instead of calming the situation, escalated it into a chaotic brawl, completely undermining the spirit of fair play and enjoyment that sport is meant to foster.
Parent Attacks Opposing Goalkeeper
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, August 31, during an Under-13 Super Oscar tournament match between Csf Carmagnola and Volpiano Pianese. Following Carmagnola`s 1-0 victory, a minor verbal altercation broke out among the young players – typical on-field rivalries seen even at professional levels. However, the father of a Carmagnola player abruptly scaled the fence, entered the field, and, instead of diffusing the tension, violently attacked the Volpiano Pianese goalkeeper.
Reports indicate the father punched the 13-year-old boy in the face, then threw him to the ground and struck him multiple times. According to reconstructions, the goalkeeper might have reacted to the opposing fans` celebrations, and the father allegedly intervened to “protect” his own son. Officials from both teams eventually managed to restore order on the field.
A football field.
Reactions and Aftermath
The aggressor has since been identified by the Carabinieri, who are currently interviewing witnesses and have launched an official investigation. The 13-year-old victim was transported to Martini Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a severe contusion to the cheekbone and a fractured malleolus (ankle bone).
Andrea Mirasola, the coach of Volpiano Pianese, recounted the events to *Corriere della Sera*: “The facts are simple and brutal. Emotions were running high in a fiercely contested match. Some post-game taunts provoked a minor skirmish among my players, the kind of arguments that would surely have been settled. Suddenly, this parent assaulted our goalkeeper.” The coach emphasized the extreme violence of the act, adding, “My staff, the boys, and I are in shock.”
Giovanni Panichelli, the Mayor of Volpiano, conveyed his solidarity with the boy, his parents, and the team to *LaPresse*, describing the incident as a grave and unedifying event. The Carmagnola club has publicly distanced itself from the aggressor`s actions and issued a sincere apology to their opponents: “What transpired represents grave and unacceptable conduct. We feel obligated to offer our sincerest apologies to the young victim of the aggression and his family, and to the entire sports community involved.”
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