Kelowna

A disciplinary hearing into an ugly incident during a soccer game in Kelowna will be held next week.

The incident took place last Thursday night during an over 55 game between teams from Vernon and Summerland.

Referee Brandon Wright, 22, says he was assaulted by two Vernon players after attempting to send one of the players off the field after issuing him a red card.

Kelowna referee Mike Kelly, who assigns officials for a number of adult and high school leagues, says a disciplinary hearing will be held with the league August 8.

"I have received reports from both Wright and the manager of the Summerland team, who backed up what the referee said," says Kelly.

He says in a lengthy report, the manager from Summerland recommends the players involved be kicked out of the league for the remainder of the season. The report goes on to recommend a decision on whether the players should ever play again should be made prior to next season. If this doesn't happen, the team should be kicked out.

Meantime, Wright says he is receiving a lot of support from within the soccer community after going public with the incident.

"I've had people email me and facebook me, drop by the house and at work to tell me they support me and what I'm doing. It's running about 90% in favour," says Wright.

He says most of the negative comments are coming from Vernon players who claim he is sensationalizing or exaggerating what happened, even denying what happened.

"One person even told me to 'Suck It Up,' although they didn't say how I should do that."

Wright says he is being accused of trying to make a quick buck.

"I would go on record as saying if I ever did file a lawsuit against these guys I would donate half or three-quarters of what I got to local soccer or charities."

He says he's also frustrated at the pace in which BC Soccer is moving on the incident.

Wright say he wants the provincial body to ban these players for life.

"Back in the day when I used to play youth soccer, if this ever happened that player would be banned from an arena, banned from a ball diamond or banned from a soccer field for life. Why can't it be that way now?

He says he was attacked, and regardless of the severity of the injuries he sustained, the players involved should be banned from the game.

Link: Soccer Match Turns Ugly