Soccer brawl nets United withdrawal
01.10.2008
by Katee Shanks
On Sunday witnesses at the soccer final spoke of drunken antics, intimidation of match officials and a brawl outside the clubrooms during the presentation of trophies.
"Rotorua United have withdrawn from all matches involving Te Puke AFC until Te Puke can demonstrate it has the policies and processes in place to prevent any repeat of last Saturday's disgraceful scenes."
The club also believed the safety and wellbeing of Rotorua United players, supporters and their families was compromised.
Te Puke Football Club members met on Monday night to discuss Saturday's brawl.
Club spokesman Giles Day admitted supporters were boisterous and possibly used language that could have offended some people but said it was done in fun, not to cause trouble.
As far as he was aware, there were two incidents on Saturday which were over and done with in a matter of seconds and everyone shook hands afterwards.
Kawerau Soccer Club president Simon Goddard agreed differences between the Kawerau and Te Puke supporters were forgotten immediately after the fight.
01.10.2008
by Katee Shanks
Rotorua United has withdrawn from all future matches involving Te Puke after a brawl involving soccer supporters and players last weekend.
A fight broke out between supporters and players from Te Puke and Kawerau following Saturday's Tasman Cup final in Kawerau and an investigation has been launched by the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Soccer Federation.
It has demanded written accounts from the Te Puke and Kawerau clubs, and Rotorua United AFC is to lodge a formal complaint regarding spectator behaviour.
In an email to The Daily Post, Rotorua United committee member Tim Barnard said none of the club's supporters or players were involved in the violence that followed the Tasman Cup final, contrary to initial reports.
On Sunday witnesses at the soccer final spoke of drunken antics, intimidation of match officials and a brawl outside the clubrooms during the presentation of trophies.
"Rotorua United have withdrawn from all matches involving Te Puke AFC until Te Puke can demonstrate it has the policies and processes in place to prevent any repeat of last Saturday's disgraceful scenes."
The club also believed the safety and wellbeing of Rotorua United players, supporters and their families was compromised.
Te Puke Football Club members met on Monday night to discuss Saturday's brawl.
Club spokesman Giles Day admitted supporters were boisterous and possibly used language that could have offended some people but said it was done in fun, not to cause trouble.
As far as he was aware, there were two incidents on Saturday which were over and done with in a matter of seconds and everyone shook hands afterwards.
Kawerau Soccer Club president Simon Goddard agreed differences between the Kawerau and Te Puke supporters were forgotten immediately after the fight.
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