A three-year-old soccer player in Florida was removed from a youth league after a league official called police to report a disturbance involving parents, according to Winter Park authorities and league documents.
The league, i9 Sports, confirmed the child’s removal and issued a refund for the upcoming fall season, while police stated the dispute was a civil matter and no enforcement action was taken. The incident has drawn widespread attention after viral videos showed the child dominating play in a 5U league match.
Police and league confirm removal
Winter Park Police released a statement confirming that an i9 Sports official called 911 on Saturday to report a disturbance between league officials and the parents of a player. Upon arrival, officers determined the matter was civil and left the field without further action. The league later issued a statement confirming that the family had been refunded for the 2026 Fall League and that the child would no longer participate.
Parents allege bias over dominance on the field
The child’s father, who shared videos of the match on social media, claimed in a viral post that rival parents had complained because his son was too skilled for the league, holding the ball for extended periods and scoring goals. The father stated that the league had kicked his son out following the incident, though the league’s exact reasoning remains unclear.
League cites 'disturbance' as reason for removal
In an audio recording obtained by the New York Post, i9 Sports official Thomas Hayes told a dispatcher that a parent was being disruptive and requested police assistance. Hayes later told the family that their son would no longer be allowed in the league due to their behavior during the disturbance. The league has not provided further clarification on the decision.
Police confirm no criminal wrongdoing
Winter Park Police stated that officers arrived to find a cooperative group of parents and left after determining the dispute was a civil matter. The league requested the family leave the field, and the parents complied. The police emphasized that their involvement was limited to assessing the disturbance call.
Viral reaction and ongoing questions
The incident has sparked debate online, with some viewers criticizing the league’s decision and others questioning the parents’ conduct. The league has not publicly addressed whether the child’s skill level played a role in the removal. The family has not responded to requests for further comment.