A 3-year-old boy in Winter Park, Florida, was removed from a youth soccer game and his parents asked to leave the field after a league official called police alleging a disturbance, according to police records and body cam footage reviewed by multiple outlets.
The Winter Park Police Department confirmed officers responded to a call from a soccer league official on Saturday regarding an alleged dispute involving the child’s parents. Police stated they determined the incident was a civil matter and no arrests or forced removals occurred. The league later offered to refund the family’s league fees, though the parents said they were already leaving the game.
The dispute centers on Nevada Pierre, a child described in viral videos as dominating play against peers up to two years older. Body cam footage shows the boy’s parents stating they believed their son was removed because he was "too good" at soccer. However, league officials and police cited behavioral concerns, including pushing other children and parental arguments with coaches and other parents.
Police body cam footage reveals differing accounts
Body cam footage from the responding officers provides additional context. In the video, Thomas Hayes, a director of the youth soccer league, tells police that Nevada is "very good" but has been pushing other children while scoring goals. Hayes said he instructed referees to prevent Nevada from pushing and that he swapped players in and out of the game to ensure equal playing time. He also referenced a prior incident weeks earlier where Nevada’s parents argued with him after he substituted their son out of the game.
Nevada’s parents disputed this account in the same footage. His mother told police they always stand on the opposite side of the field to avoid disruption and that the league was "kicking him out of this place because he's good at soccer." His father is heard saying, "They called the police on a 3-year-old because he's too good."
League officials cite equal playtime as core policy
Hayes told police the league’s policy is to rotate players to ensure all children get equal opportunities to participate. He stated Nevada’s parents had previously objected to this approach. The league later told police they requested the family leave and offered a refund, though the parents said the game was already ending and they were departing.
Police conclude incident was civil, no enforcement taken
The Winter Park Police Department issued a statement Monday confirming no criminal activity occurred. "The incident was a civil matter between those parties and not criminal. No one was arrested, trespassed, or forced to leave the park," police said. They added that the family was cooperative during the interaction.
The viral videos of Nevada’s soccer skills have drawn widespread attention online, with some commentators criticizing the league’s actions. Others have focused on the league’s stated goal of inclusive playtime for all children. The Pierre family has not responded to requests for further comment beyond their initial statements in the body cam footage.