Kelowna

A Kelowna man is pushing for charges after a soccer match turned ugly.

Brandon Wright, 22, was officiating a soccer match between Vernon and Summerland Thursday night at the Mission sports fields in Kelowna when one of the players turned on him.

"After I carded #14 of Vernon, I instructed him to leave the field immediately. I was greeted with verbal abuse and moments later the collar of my jersey was grabbed and ripped."

Wright says he "punched" his way out of the man's hold, but says the situation escalated when another, much larger player, jumped in.

"As I broke free of #14 from Vernon, a very heavy set man from Vernon by the name of “Mark” crushed me from behind. Mark was on my back as he drove me to the ground and had my head in a dangerous and, what I deemed, a precarious position. I was in what many would refer to as a head-lock."

Again, Wright says he punched his way out of the larger player's grasp and called for help.

"After calling the police I called my father, Derrich. He came down immediately and asked what had occurred. I pointed out the two men that attacked me and he began to ask the two men why? After exchanging sides of the situation Mark slapped me in the face."

Wright says he's going public with his story to remind sports players that it's just a game.

"I referee soccer because I enjoy it. Obviously events like this are not frequent, however these individuals need to be held accountable for their actions as players as well as grown adults."

Wright says he's filed a complaint with RCMP and is insisting on charges.

RCMP confirm the alleged incident is under investigation.

Interview with Brandon Wright (Kelly Hayes)