Youth football coach punches 14-year-old player amid brawl, California cops say

A youth football coach is accused of punching a 14-year-old player during an on-field brawl at a game, California police and news outlets reported.

Coach Eibylardo Funes, 50, was arrested on charges of child abuse with possible great bodily injury and battery on Saturday, Sept. 23, Murrieta police said in a news release.

Officers responded to reports of an altercation between players, coaches and parents at 5:42 p.m. at Vista Murrieta High School, police said.

The fight broke out during a game between the Murrieta Broncos and Perris Panthers in the Murrieta Jr. All-American Youth Football League, KCBS reported.

During the altercation, Funes punched a 14-year-old player for the other team, police said and the outlet reported.

“I can understand children, but this was an adult who intentionally hit my child in front of me,” Neenah Kaowili, the teen’s mother, told KNBC. She said her son was knocked out.

Police said the boy had an eye injury and signs of a concussion.

In a Facebook post, the Murrieta Jr. All-American Youth Football League called the incident “unfortunate and disheartening.”

The league said it does not condone the actions and called it a “tough situation” for all involved.

The organization dismissed Funes as a coach and banned him from the league, KABC reported. Both teams have been disbanded and forfeited their seasons.

Police ask that anyone with information contact 951-461-6882 or kmeyer@murrietaca.gov.

Murrieta is about 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 27, 2023 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Youth football coach punches 14-year-old player amid brawl, California cops say."