Latest news with #KleinburgNobletonSC
CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
Vaughan, Ont., man charged after allegedly uttering threats at youth soccer game
A York Regional Police patch is shown in Aurora, Ont. on Dec. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey A Vaughan man has been charged after allegedly uttering a violent threat toward a youth during a girls' soccer game earlier this month, prompting the match to end prematurely. In a news release issued Monday, York Regional Police revealed that 53-year-old Gianni Luciani has been charged with one count of uttering threats in connection with the June 20 incident at Concord Thornhill Regional Park, near Dufferin Street and Highway 407. Soccer field An image of the soccer match between two U13 girls teams on June 20 (left), and what the field looks like in the day (right). (Andrea Yepez, City_of_Vaughan/X) The incident, which took place during a U13 girls' soccer match, caused the game to be called off mid-play and raised serious concern from officials and those who attended. Investigators allege the accused — a parent of a player — threatened a youth on the opposing team during the second half of the game. As CTV News Toronto previously reported, the game between Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club's iModel and Glen Shields Juventus FC was unfolding as normal until a sideline confrontation escalated. In a video reviewed by CTV, a man's voice can be heard shouting, 'I'm going to f***ing stab you,' after two players collided near the edge of the field. While the footage did not clearly identify the speaker, coaches with KNSC said the threat was directed at one of their players and made by a parent from the opposing side. The young player was described as visibly 'distraught,' and KNSC coaching staff decided to end the game over safety concerns. 'It was no longer about the fun of the game,' Nikita Moriarity, KNSC's assistant coach, previously told CTV News Toronto. 'It was about the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of a 12-year-old young girl.' Juventus FC previously denied the version of events described by KNSC, saying they 'categorically reject' the claims and that it was 'inaccurate and misleading.' In an email to CTV News Toronto, police clarify that while the person targeted was a youth, she was not 12 years old. Investigators declined to provide the youth's exact age. 'We will not tolerate any form of threats, intimidation, or violence at public events, including youth sports,' investigators said in a release Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is asked to come forward and contact York Regional Police immediately. With files from CTV News Toronto's Alex Arsenych
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Man charged after coaches say he threatened to stab someone at girls' soccer game in GTA
Social Sharing Police have charged a man with uttering threats after an incident during a a U13 girls soccer game in Vaughan last week where coaches say a parent threatened to stab someone. Who exactly the threat was directed at, however, is in dispute between the two teams. The incident happened during a game between Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club (KNSC) and Glen Shields Juventus FC on June 20 at Concord Thornhill Regional Park. About 10 minutes into the second half, a KNSC player collided with a Glen Shields player, said Nikita Moriarity, assistant coach for KNSC. A video recording of the game provided by KNSC appears to show a moment where two players collided, with one girl falling to the ground. After the referee blows the whistle, a voice can be heard shouting, "I'm going to f—king stab you." A young player can be heard saying: "He told me he's going to stab me" with a spectator adding "Yeah, I heard that. I also heard that." York Regional Police said a man was arrested on Friday in connection with the incident and was charged with uttering threats. Differing accounts of who threat was directed at Moriarity said the threat was directed at a KNSC player, who was "obviously distraught, very fearful" after the comment was made. "When you have parents who are supposed to be role models, who are supposed to be encouraging and developing young minds, acting or saying those kind of things on the bench, regardless of who it's directed at, that's concerning," she told CBC Toronto. However, in a statement posted to Instagram Friday, Glen Shields Juventus FC said they conducted an internal review of the incident, which including analyzing "available footage" and gathering eyewitness accounts, and found the comment was made toward an adult at the game, not a player. "While early media reported an public statements suggested the comment was made toward a young player, our findings do not support that account," the club said in its statement. The individual alleged to have made the comment has been temporarily restricted from from participating in any club activities, "pending the outcome of a full investigation by the appropriate authorities," the statement says. "Glen Shields Juventus FC upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy toward abusive behaviour in any form, whether directed a players, referees, coaches, or spectators." Both clubs are part of the York Region Soccer Association (YRSA.) The association's sporting director Tony Fonseca said it is aware of the incident in an email to CBC Toronto, and that the teams and the YRSA are "acting accordingly" as the police investigation continues, he said. "This does not reflect the great sportsmanship and respect demonstrated at all times by all our member clubs in York Region every time they step on the field," he wrote. "Such deplorable behaviours do not have a place in our environments." Ontario Soccer said it was also aware of the incident in a statement, but the YRSA is managing the case since it involves clubs in their district. If a formal complaint is filed with Ontario Soccer, the organization said an independent third-party will manage the case.
