Tamasite president condemns youth football attack and urges an end to reprisals
Felipe Marrero says a Tamasite youth player must face consequences for kicking an opponent, but calls for restraint after an alleged attack on the youngster at school.
CD Tamasite Vachuelo president Felipe Marrero has condemned a youth player’s attack on an opponent and called for an end to reprisals, after he was told that the youngster had himself been assaulted at school.
The appeal follows an incident during a match in which the Tamasite player kicked an opposing player in the chest. Footage of the kick circulated widely online. Marrero apologised to the affected player and his family, while arguing that the response to the minor’s actions should help him correct his behaviour rather than condemn him permanently.
Club action and possible suspension
Marrero said an official from the opposing team had contacted him after the Tamasite player posted footage of the incident on Instagram. The club issued a statement condemning the attack, required the player to remove the video and apologise, and temporarily excluded him from team selections.
The president said the youngster had told him he had called the other player to apologise. Marrero also said a football federation suspension of around seven or eight matches was expected, although the competition committee had yet to issue its final decision.
Marrero said he respected the opposing family’s decision over a complaint they were reported to have made, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident. He opposed permanently expelling the Tamasite player, saying those who worked with him had not identified a pattern of violent behaviour.
Concerns about further violence
Marrero said he had been informed that the Tamasite player had been hit several times by another boy in class on a Friday. He expressed concern that the public exposure of the minor, whose face appeared unblurred in the footage, and the controversy around the incident could lead to further confrontations.
He also warned of tensions in youth football, saying he knew of players from different teams challenging one another online and even proposing physical confrontations after matches. He called for families to play a greater role in preventing further violence.
Club finances
Marrero also described financial difficulties at the club. He said Tuineje town council owed it slightly more than €6,000 in grants for the 2023–2024 season, despite the club having submitted documentation to justify the funding twice. He expected that amount to be paid soon, but said there was no information about grants for subsequent seasons.
Marrero said club directors were contributing their own money to keep sporting activities running and that the club also faced difficulties with its facilities. He appealed for support from public bodies and private businesses, pointing to the club’s role in helping children from families with fewer resources take part in sport.