A youth football game ended in violence this week after a coach slapped a referee in retaliation for what he considered to be a bad call. Dion Robinson, a coach for the West Park Saints, got angry when the referee, Andrew Keigans gave the team an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after hearing a derogatory comment from the sidelines. Robinson then left the sidelines to confront the referee while being held back by his head coach. At that point, Keigans called the game and gave the win to the opposing team.
While the referees were walking off of the field, Robinson ran up to Keigans and slapped him, knocking him to the ground. The exchange was all caught on camera by the opposing team’s coach and Robinson was arrested yesterday on assault charges.
According to the Broward Palm Beach New times, Robinson has an extensive criminal record that includes aggravated assault, assault with a firearm and several arrests for distribution of cocaine.
Sheriff Al Lamberty said, “He was coaching the West Park Saints, but he was far from a saint. He has got an extensive record. It calls into question, ‘Was a background check ever done on Mr. Robinson?’ The bigger question is why was he allowed to have contact with kids?”
City officials, along with Mayor Eric Jones, are launching an investigation to find out how Robinson was allowed to coach children with his criminal record. While Robinson was released from jail today, the mayor announced that he is no longer allowed to coach.
It is unclear whether or not this youth football league has an existing background check policy. However, it appears that the city’s internal investigation is definitely going to bring any issues to light. A sound screening policy would have easily prevented introducing children to such behavior, not to mention the embarrassment of the referee.
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