United States

‘Terrible': Parents React to Weston Soccer Teen's Alleged Assault

According to an incident report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office, the teen had traveled with Weston FC to Medellin, Colombia from January 26 to February 3 when the incident happened in a hotel room

Parents and coaches are speaking out after a 14-year-old player for a Weston soccer club claimed he was hazed and sexually assaulted during a team trip earlier this year.

According to an incident report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office, the teen had traveled with Weston FC to Medellin, Colombia from January 26 to February 3 when the incident happened in a hotel room.

"He was forced into his room, some of his roommates were held down to watch while my client was sexually assaulted," attorney Andrew Yaffa said.

One father said his son plays for Weston FC but was not on the trip.

"That shouldn't have happened, that shouldn't have happened. Whatever happened shouldn't have happened," said Winston, who didn't want to give his last name. "I told my son, 'you know what's right from wrong.'"

"That's terrible because you think they're all part of a team and things like that should not happen," mother Sophie Michiels said.

Weston FC is now facing a lawsuit from the boy's family, as well as six players allegedly involved. The players accused range in age from 18 to 20.

In a statement, Weston FC said they have a "zero tolerance policy for un-sportsman like behavior, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or violence of any kind."

"Therefore, when we received a report of an incident on a recent international trip, Weston FC immediately suspended all players alleged to have been involved and promptly made a report to the US Center for SafeSport as required by federal law and our National Governing Body," the statement read, in part.

"There are a lot of questions here and you are relying on very young people who have a lot of emotion, and a lot of social media issues so it is far from conclusive at this point," said attorney Scott Sakin, who represents one of the accused players.

"It's a horrible thing to have happen," said Jim, a local soccer coach who didn't want to give his last name. "You know kids are gonna be kids, and sometimes things get out of control. And you know, you gotta take appropriate action and hold people accountable."

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