Photographer alleges highschool soccer star grabbed me by the throat in postgame brawl

A wild postgame brawl at a highschool soccer match, wherein a photojournalist alleges he a participant grabbed him by the throat, was caught on video. 

The chaos occurred on Saturday evening following a sport in Jersey City between St. Benedict’s Prep and St. Peter’s Prep. St. Benedict’s star ahead Amadou Hann charged towards gamers on St. Peter’s after the handshake line, kicking off the mayhem. 

A video posted by NJ Advanced Media, which reported on Monday {that a} photojournalist it assigned to the sport had been attacked, confirmed Hann charging towards the opposing gamers earlier than being restrained by teammates. 

But as Hann was faraway from the scenario, different gamers from either side partaking with one different and the scenario devolved into bedlam as coaches and different adults tried to achieve management of the scene. 

At least one punch may very well be seen being thrown within the video. 

What didn’t seem like captured within the video was the incident involving photographer Tom Horak and Hann, who allegedly sprinted towards the photog, demanding he delete the images he took of the brawl earlier than grabbing Horak by the throat, the outlet reported. 

The video does present Hann working off the display, which is believed to be when the altercation occurred. 

NJ Advanced Media reported that Horak had abrasions on his neck and that he declined medical consideration on the discipline. 

Police weren’t referred to as and the photographer declined to press expenses, the outlet reported. 

“What he did is definitely not okay,” Horak stated. “It was a scary moment. He charged and he kind of grabbed me by the throat. I don’t know if he was trying to grab my shirt and ended up grabbing my throat. My whole mindset was: Get out. Relax. Trying to calm down the situation.”

St. Benedict’s Prep stated that it was conscious of the incident and it was conducting an inner investigation, spokesperson Larry Geraghty told Patch.com. 

“While we are still gathering all the facts, we take this matter extremely seriously and are treating it with the utmost priority and care,” he stated. “Our coaching staff, athletic department, and school leaders are actively reviewing eyewitness accounts, video footage, and statements from all parties involved.”

The assertion added: “We are conducting an internal investigation in accordance with our policies to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.”

Spokesperson for the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association, Mike Cherenson, informed NJ Advanced Media that it was “aware” of what occurred and it was gathering data. 

“We take these matters very seriously,” the assertion learn. 

St. Peter’s Prep athletic director Rich Hansen described the combat that triggered all of the drama as “high school nonsense.”