Florida Youth Soccer: Police Called After 3-Year-Old Removed

Police responded to a youth soccer game in Winter Park, Florida, on Saturday after a league official reported a disturbance involving the parents of a three-year-old player. The call to the Winter Park Police Department stemmed from an alleged dispute over the child’s playing time, according to a department statement released Monday.

The player, Nevada Pierre, was removed from the game by i9 Sports officials. The league director told police that Pierre was taken off the field due to behavior and that his parents were upset about his playing time. The parents contend that Pierre was removed because he was playing too well against older children. Footage of the incident, including the 911 dispatch call, has circulated widely online.

The dispatch audio features a league official describing Pierre’s mother as disruptive. The official told the dispatcher, "I just have an unruly parent here," and accused her of following him and using names in front of other attendees. Martasia Pierre, the boy’s mother, told ABC News that she spoke up for her son and that the family felt embarrassed by the police presence.

Officers who arrived at the park determined the situation was a civil matter rather than a criminal one. No arrests were made, and no one was forced to leave the park. The league asked the family to leave the premises and offered to refund the league fees. The family agreed to depart, stating the game was effectively over. Police noted that the family was cooperative with officers during the interaction.

The incident has drawn attention from public figures. Ms. Rachel, a children’s entertainer, posted online that she was livid and invited Pierre to her show to display his skills. She described the event as a case where a three-year-old Black boy was punished for being too good at soccer. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump shared a similar sentiment on X, questioning the message sent to young athletes who are removed for excelling. Former quarterback Robert Griffin III also criticized the response, calling it ridiculous to punish a child for high performance.

i9 Sports, the organization behind the program, issued a statement confirming it is reviewing the incident. The group said it reached out to the family and is speaking with those involved. The statement emphasized that the respectful treatment and well-being of every child and family are priorities for the program.

Videos shared on Pierre’s Instagram account show the toddler playing against five-year-olds. His parents stated in a caption that he scored 10 goals at the weekend game before being substituted. They noted that opponents had difficulty keeping the ball away from him, leading to complaints from other parents that the match was not fair.