Winter Park police respond to dispute at youth soccer game

A dispute at an i9 Sports youth soccer league in Winter Park, Florida, has sparked viral controversy involving the family of a 3-year-old player named Nevada. The family alleges that police were called and they were escorted from the field because the toddler’s exceptional skills caused frustration among opposing parents and league officials.

According to the family, Nevada was dominating games against 5-year-olds, leading to complaints that he was making the matches unfair. The mother, Martasia Griffin, stated the incident has left the child feeling traumatized and as though he had done something wrong.

However, the Winter Park Police Department has released body camera footage and audio that presents a different account. Police stated that the league director, Thomas Hayes, called 911 to report an “unruly parent” who was being disruptive and following him, rather than citing the child’s athletic performance. Officers reported that the family was already leaving the park when they arrived and described the situation as a civil matter. No charges or trespass warnings were issued by the department, and the league offered to refund the family's registration fees.