Stronghold Christian Church brawl: Referee needs 30 stitches after basketball players and parents THRASH him
An unpleasant incident occurred during a youth basketball game in Georgia, where a group of teen players and their parents attacked a referee on the Stronghold Christian Church premises where the game was being played, with the moment the referee was attacked and kicked was caught on camera. Last Sunday, April 3, a basketball game with the name 'Love of the Game' was being played on the church premises in Lithonia, Georgia, and as soon as the game ended, some players approached one of the refs and made a series of heated comments.
In the video, which was taken by a game assistant and posted on Facebook, one can see the young people following the official, who decides to flee when he feels threatened, but the players pursue him and begin hitting him. The referee chooses to return some of the punches, but he is quickly encircled by additional players who continue to beat him viciously, with some even hitting him in the head. The referee stops being beaten after a few seconds, mainly owing to the involvement of other refs who advised the players to stop attacking. According to TMZ, the Dekalb County Police Department arrived at the site in response to an attack and is currently investigating the incident. Meanwhile, after being violently attacked, the referee required 30 stitches.
RELATED ARTICLES
Watch: Massive brawl breaks out at AAU basketball game between players and tournament officials
Many on social media slammed the group of young people for their wrongdoing during the basketball game. One person wrote on Twitter, “Parents have done some great work with these fine, upstanding young citizens I see.” “Sad part is there is a nationwide shortage of youth ref across all sports and this would be reason number 1 as to why many youth leagues seasons are cut short.” another person added. “10 on 1? Ya'll have some tough guys. That 10 on 1 get you a little street cred? 🙄A lot of kids can't handle defeat these days. Each kid that participated needs to be suspended for good from all leagues,” yet another person remarked.
Y'all these bad ahh kids got off on the referee 😐 Why the other refs ain't help tho pic.twitter.com/FGXhxqFDer
— NoPauseTv (@NoPauseTv) April 4, 2022
Parents have done some great work with these fine, upstanding young citizens I see
— Corey Sanderson (@CoreySanderso10) April 5, 2022
Sad part is there is a nation wide shortage of youth ref across all sports and this would be reason number 1 as to why many youth leagues seasons are cut short
— Reem🇯🇲reem (@Almighty_reem) April 4, 2022
10 on 1? Ya'll some tough guys. That 10 on 1 get you a little street cred? 🙄A lot of kids can't handle defeat these days. Each kid that participated needs to be suspended for good from all leagues.
— Steve (@stacosta70) April 6, 2022
Meanwhile, in a statement, a church representative of Stronghold Christian Church said, "It is truly unfortunate about the turn of events that took place during the basketball game held at our facility this weekend. We open our doors to serve our community and our goal is to provide an atmosphere conducive for enjoyment, enrichment, etc." "While we can not control people, it is our hope and prayer that those who enter our facility will conduct themselves in the best manner. Our prayers go out to all those involved in this current situation,” the statement added.