Florida sheriff probes suspected illegal betting after brawl at under-9 youth football game

Police in Polk County, Florida, have opened an investigation into possible illegal gambling on children's football after a brawl involving dozens of adults broke out at a youth game.

The incident took place on Saturday, October 10, during a match between the Winter Haven Tigers and the Plant City Colts, two teams of eight-year-olds. According to the report, the trouble began when a parent allegedly hit an opposing coach. The confrontation quickly escalated into a fight among dozens of adults while the children looked on. The Polk County Sheriff's Office released video of the incident, in which some people can be seen trying to separate those involved. The fighting stopped only when police stepped in.

After speaking with witnesses, officers were told that the brawl may have been triggered by illegal wagering on the game. The sheriff's office has therefore started looking into whether betting was the real cause and whether illegal gambling on youth games takes place more widely.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told WFLA he was appalled at the idea of parents betting on a game between elementary school pupils. He said he had never expected to have to send undercover agents to children's sporting events to check for illegal gambling. He warned that deputies would do so if necessary, saying: "If you're at these youth sporting events, and you're gambling on these teams, we're going to go undercover and look for that conduct, and we'll arrest you quick."

As of the time of reporting, no arrests had been made and the investigation is continuing. Officers are working to establish who was responsible for the brawl. The sheriff's office indicated that even if no gambling is found to have taken place, people who took part in the violence could still face criminal charges.