Police Intervene at Florida Youth Soccer Match After Dispute Over 3-Year-Old

Police responded to a youth soccer game near Orlando, Florida, on Sunday, ending the match for 3-year-old Nevada after a dispute between his parents and league officials. The incident gained national attention after video of the police encounter circulated on social media platforms.

Thomas Hayes, a director for i9 Sports, the league operating the program, stated that the call to law enforcement resulted from the parents' behavior. Hayes told officers on body camera footage that Nevada was "very good" and "really advanced" compared to opponents who were one and two years older. He noted the boy was pushing other players to score goals. Hayes said he had previously instructed the child not to push and recalled a prior incident where he rotated players, including Nevada, causing the parents to create a "big scene, arguing with other parents."

Nevada’s mother provided a different account to police. She stated the family stood on the opposite side of the field to avoid disruption. In the body camera video, she said, "They're literally kicking him out of this place because he's good at soccer." The father was heard in a family video saying, "They called the police on a 3-year-old because he's too good."

The mother told CBS News that the coach initially allowed Nevada to stay in the game if he passed the ball. She reported seeing other parents huddle and discuss her son during play. In an interview with media personality Lauren Lorosa, the mother added, "My son is already dressed. I cannot explain to my 3-year-old son that he cannot play today because he is so good."

Hayes said he wanted the family to leave the facility and offered them a refund. The league posted on Facebook that it was "aware of concerns being shared regarding an incident at a local i9 Sports program" and took the matter seriously. The post stated that the league is working to understand the circumstances and will not share unverified information.

Online reactions were divided. Some supporters praised Nevada’s talent, while one coach wrote that the parents "should be ashamed of themselves." The league has not announced any further disciplinary actions or changes to the program schedule.