NJ coach accused of kicking teen on rival team during youth soccer match
⚽ A Union County youth soccer coach is accused of kicking a 16-year-old rival player.
👮♂️ Police have charged the coach with simple assault at a youth sports event.
😡 The case is part of recent violence and brawls at New Jersey youth sporting events.
A youth soccer coach in Union County is accused of kicking a teen on a rival team during a match.
Multiple people reported the Oct. 19 incident after it unfolded at Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle.
The North Plainfield Soccer Elite and Elizabeth Youth Soccer teams were playing, when a 16-year-old Elizabeth player fell near the sideline.
Multiple witnesses told police that 51-year-old Gustavo Rosas Plata, of North Plainfield, kicked the teen.
Investigation by the Union County Police Department also involved reviewing video footage.
Coach charged after police review video and witness reports
On Nov. 18, Plata was charged with fourth-degree simple assault, in the presence of a child under 16 at a school or community youth sports event.
Plata was processed and released pending a court date in Superior Court.
If convicted of simple assault at a youth sports event, he faces penalties that include up to a $10,000 fine, possible community service/anger management and up to 18 months in jail.
Ultimately, the final penalty is determined by the court.
Youth sports violence in New Jersey on the rise
While this appears to be the first reported case of a coach directing violence at a teen athlete in New Jersey, there have been recent incidents involving adults showing aggression toward each other at youth sport events.
In June, a former youth baseball coach was ordered to pay $650,000 for a brutal assault on a 72-year-old umpire during a game in Somerset County.
On June 4, 2022, Jerry Otero, then a parent-coach of a 13U team from Staten Island, attacked James Neely at a baseball field in Branchburg at White Oak Park.
The victim suffered a concussion and a broken jaw.
Read More: Major win for youth umpire punched by coach at NJ baseball game
Brawls, assaults and escalating tensions at NJ youth tournaments
There have been at least two brawls at wrestling tournaments that also ended in assault charges for some participants.
Last year, four adults faced charges after an investigation into a 20-person brawl at a youth wrestling tournament in Warren County.
Read More: After huge brawl at NJ youth wrestling match, 4 adults arrested
Earlier this year, a different fight in the stands at Collingswood High School during the NJSIAA District 25 Tournament led to a high school senior getting caught up in a simple assault charge.
It almost derailed his chance of finishing the competitive season.
Read More: Judge clears way for Anthony Knox to earn 4th NJ championship
Last year, New Jersey 101.5 ran a town hall on-air called "Don't Be a Bad Sport" — about the dangers and benefits of participating in youth sports.
Watch the full replay below.
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