By BEN CAMERON
POLICE have called off an investigation into a South East Juniors football match which left a 14-year-old Tooradin player with a leg broken in two places.
The Gazette understands the incident occurred around 12.30pm just before the end of the first quarter on Sunday, July 27 in a match between Officer and Tooradin.
The Under 14 Division 2 fixture at Officer Recreation Reserve was called off at quarter-time.
While SEJ would not confirm details of the incident, Tooradin Football Club president Derek Genoni said the matter was dealt with at a tribunal hearing on Tuesday night.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the matter was now an issue for the league after initially treating it as an “alleged assault” late last week.
“This incident has not been deemed a police matter due to no malicious intent. It will be investigated by the league,” she said.
Mr Genoni said the incident was shattering for the young Tooradin player.
“The boy has broken both bones in his lower leg at the end of the quarter,” he said.
“It’s very sad, he won’t be playing footy for the rest of the year. It’s under investigation by the league.”
South East Juniors general manager Shaun Connell said in a statement police had spoken to the people involved.
“The league has had initial discussions with the two clubs involved and have their unreserved co-operation in an official league investigation,” Mr Connell said.
“The league can confirm that a player has sustained a serious break to the leg that has required surgery.
“We can also confirm that Victoria Police attended the ground and are making their own inquiries. The league will be making no further comments.”
Officer Football Club’s David O’Hagan did not wish to comment.
In May, a match at Holm Park reserve was called off by umpires after a fight broke out between Berwick and Beaconsfield under-17s.
The incident, which was investigated by SEJ, threatened to escalate when a non-playing teenager in the crowd came onto the field and joined in the melee.
At the time Mr Connell confirmed the Holm Park melee, which is believed to have been filmed, would be the subject of a formal league inquiry.
