Youth Soccer League Faces Backlash Over 3-Year-Old's Removal
i9 Sports reports threats against staff after a child was removed from a league following a 911 call.
The youth soccer league i9 Sports is experiencing significant backlash, including threats directed at its owners and team members, following an incident where a 3-year-old player was removed from a league. The organization stated that the response has been "intense" and urged an end to the threats and the sharing of personal information of those involved.
The controversy began on Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Winter Park, Florida, when league director Thomas Hayes placed a 911 call around 9:50 a.m. reporting a "really, really disruptive" parent at a soccer game for 5-year-olds. According to i9 Sports, the call was made to de-escalate a dispute between adults, not concerning the child directly.
Police officers arrived on the scene and were informed by Hayes that parents were upset about the playing time given to 3-year-old Nevada Pierre, who was reportedly excelling on the field. Nevada's parents expressed that their son was being penalized for playing well and was being taken out of games. They were also informed that their child could no longer participate in the league due to the behavior displayed at the game.
The league confirmed that the family requested and received a refund, with confirmation sent on October 24. Nevada's mother, Martasia, stated that the incident "really traumatized" her son and that he still wants to play soccer but is hesitant to return to the same league. She claimed that other parents had discussed ways to prevent her son from playing so their children could have more opportunities.
No arrests were made and no individuals were trespassed from the park during the incident, according to police reports. The situation gained widespread attention online, prompting former US Men's National Team player Eddie Johnson to reach out to Nevada. Johnson, who runs the EJE7 Soccer Academy, commented on the incident via Instagram, suggesting that children of color sometimes face prejudice in youth soccer when they outperform peers from more privileged backgrounds.
