20-05-2025
Soccer team is accused of axing boy, seven, because of his autism: 'He cried for days and days'
A local club football team has been scrutinised by a seven-year-old boy's parents after the team abruptly told the youngster, who has autism, that he could no longer play for the club.
Zaid De Crea-Sak's mum, Angela De Crea, claims that Salisbury United FC had not given the parents a clear reason for why the boy had been dismissed.
His dismissal came after an altercation at training.
Salisbury United FC, who are situated in Adelaide and have a senior side playing in South Australia 's State League 1, were informed that Zaid could no longer play for the side.
The family had also offered to provide additional support for Zaid following the incident in training.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Salisbury United for comment.
'He cried for days, days and days,' She told Channel 9 News.
'We went through this stage of grieving... it was really sad for him.'
Channel 9 reports that Zaid had joined up with the team and had received some encouragement from the youth side's coach.
He had been recommended to get into football by Football South Australia and the club had been notified of his condition.
After several training sessions with the team, Angela stated she had also received a text from the manager saying, 'how great Zaid was'.
Despite that, the youngster is no longer playing for Salisbury, who also said they would repay Zaid's registration fees after he left the club.
Despite that, Angela states that the family are still yet to receive the $400 reimbursement, three months later.
'Realistically, the club doesn't have an understanding of what they have done to Zaid,' the boy's father, Birol Sak, said.
'He feels he has done something wrong and we are left to pick up the pieces.
'It affected his mindset.'
Football South Australia has issued a statement to Channel 9, after the broadcaster had pressed the body for comment.
Channel 9 wrote: 'Without referencing any details of what happened, it described the club's actions as exemplary.
'It was unfortunate the family were unable to work with the club to achieve the desired outcome.
Angela, though, simply wants to see her son playing sport.
'Often I hear parents say... team sport isn't right for kids like ours and I think why not,' she added.
