Footballer 'threatened with knife and punched' during six-a-side match at school as man, 30, is arrested

09/18/2024 08:51 AM

A FOOTBALLER was threatened with a knife and punched during a six-a-side match at a school.

Cops rushed to the game in Gloucester after a fight broke out between players at the private game just hours after the kids had left for the day.

Gloucester Soccersixes released a statement on Facebook addressing the “serious incident” that occurred during the match.

It read: “during the game, a player brandished a knife, which caused significant alarm among participants and spectators.

“Fortunately, the situation was resolved without any injuries, and local authorities were contacted to handle the matter appropriately.

“The player and the team to which the player plays for, have been banned from the league and all Soccersixes competitions with immediate effect.”

After the fight, the man left St Peter’s School, where the six-a-side game was being played, and fled the scene in his car.

Gloucestershire police were able to identify the footballer with the help of West Mercia Police and he was later arrested.

Inspector Ash Gardner, of the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Following a report of a nasty incident during a football match, officers worked quickly to identify and arrest a suspect.

“This was a game involving adults and no children were involved in the incident.

“We're aware of social media posts concerning the incident. We'd ask people not to speculate while investigations continue. If anyone has any information, please contact us directly.

“People should be able to enjoy their free time activities in a safe environment. Officers will not tolerate any behaviour which threatens anyone in our communities.”

The 30-year-old man is being held on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and affray.