According to a video obtained by TMZ Sports, the juvenile football organization Pop Warner is investigating a verbal altercation during a youth tournament game in Florida in which coaches allegedly received racial comments from a member of the opposing team.
The incident occurred on December 3, during a 12U quarterfinal game between the Hamden (Connecticut) Hurricanes and the Highlands Ranch (Colorado) Mountain Lions at the Pop Warner national championships in Orlando.
Following a recent game, Pop Warner football is investigating alleged racial remarks.
A Pop Warner spokeswoman said in a statement to Fox News on Friday, “A video has come to our knowledge showing adults reportedly involved with a Pop Warner team utilizing racist and threatening behavior toward coaches from another team.” “The alarming behavior depicted in the video contradicts our code of conduct and our expectations of adult volunteers.
If the panel determines that any of the adults involved in the verbal abuse are affiliated with a Pop Warner team, disciplinary action, including suspension from Pop Warner activities, will be taken.
According to a report by TMZ, Highlands Ranch fans also allegedly yelled racially derogatory slurs at Hamden players and coaches during the game. In the footage, Hamden employees are seen attempting to walk away from the subsequent verbal altercation at the hotel when a man is shown shouting the alleged slur at them, which TMZ censored.
The alleged event allegedly occurred on December 3 at a hotel following a game between the Hamden (Connecticut) Hurricanes and the Highlands Ranch (Colorado) Mountain Lions.
Michael Stearns, president of Rocky Mountain Pop Warner, disputed the allegations and later told TMZ that the group had an expert enhance the audio of the video. According to him, it was decided that the individual did not use a racial slur, but rather a pejorative word for small people.
Stearns told TMZ, “This word is equally alarming to Rocky Mountain Pop Warner, as there is no place for disparaging and/or harassing language within Pop Warner.” Our league will investigate all matters and take suitable action.
»Pop Warner is investigating allegations of racial remarks used during a youth football game«