Brawl at Florida children's football game sparks betting investigation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 01:08 · Archive

A fight broke out at a U8 football game in Winter Haven, Florida, with police investigating claims of illegal betting.

A brawl broke out at the end of Saturday's U8 football match in Winter Haven between the HOA 30 Kartel and Plant City Colts Certified Strikers. Video showed parents and children on the field as adults threw punches and grappled. An unidentified parent allegedly struck a Plant City coach on the head after the team lost 16-0, triggering the mass fight. Police eventually broke up the brawl when Polk County officers rushed onto the field.

Police are investigating whether illegal betting on the game sparked the violence. One person told authorities that parents were gambling on the match before the fight broke out. However, investigators have no video evidence to prove the betting claim.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd issued a warning to parents, saying authorities will conduct undercover operations at youth sporting events to catch gambling. 'If you're at these youth sporting events, and you're gambling on these teams, we're going to go undercover and look for that conduct, and we'll arrest you quick,' he said. No arrests have been made, but those identified could face disorderly conduct charges. Extra charges may follow if evidence of illegal betting is found.

How it is being reported

• Massive brawl at 8-year-old’s football game sparks investigation into whether adults were sports betting on the kidsPolice have yet to make any arrests over of the brawlIndependent World · 16 Oct, 00:43
• Florida kids football game descends into all-out brawl as cops probe illegal bettingA kids football game in Florida turned into an all-out brawl among parents amid claims some on the sidelines were placing illegal bets.New York Post · 15 Oct, 11:54

In this story: Winter Haven · HOA 30 Kartel · Plant City Colts Certified Strikers · Polk County Sheriff's Office · Grady Judd

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