A Florida youth football coach was arrested for punching a referee in the face during a game.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Leo Davis, 36, of Lakeland, told the Osceola County Sheriff's Department that he was breaking up a fight that started after parents were upset with the referee's call and that he pushed the referee accidentally.
But a video surfaced of the incident that tells a different story and several witnesses supported the referee's version of events. The referee told police that he made a call that was disputed by several parents and coaches. When a group came on to the field to argue, the referee said he was punched by Davis. The referee told police that he suffered minor injuries to his thumb and knee.
The incident occurred at a sophomore league game for the Central Florida Athletic Association between the Lakeland Destroyers and the Central Florida Athletic Association Mustangs on Saturday.
The game was stopped after the incident. Police said Davis tried to flee the scene but was stopped by deputies.
Davis identified himself as a coach, although Marquese White, a coach for the Destroyers, said Davis is a parent.
Davis was released from the Osceola County Jail on $1,000 bond. According to records obtained by The Orlando Sentinel, Davis has been arrested multiple times and has been to state prison three times, including on charges of cocaine possession and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
