FL Police Called On 3-Year-Old Soccer Prodigy In Latest High-Profile Youth Sports Controversy

A 3-year-old Florida soccer prodigy and internet sensation is at the center of a bizarre controversy after police were called to one of his games, with his parents insisting he was being punished for being too good at the sport.

The incident, which unfolded last Saturday near Orlando in Winter Park, has garnered national attention, with videos circulating on social media showing young Nevada Pierre making easy work of much-older defenders.

Nevada's parents told reporters their son was unfairly targeted because of his talent, while league officials offered a different perspective, claiming the youngster had been pushing other players and his parents had become disruptive.

The dispute, first detailed nationally by CBS News, is the latest in a string of unusual youth sports controversies across the country, including fistfights between coaches and even a high school football coach resigning in the middle of a game.

Too Good?

News outlets report that Nevada was participating in an i9 Sports youth soccer game at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Orange County on Oct. 24 when a disagreement between his family and league officials prompted the initial police response.

Nevada's parents claim the child's exceptional abilities had frustrated other adults involved with the league, resulting in restrictions on his playing time and his eventual removal from the program.

In videos shared on Instagram, Nevada displays his talent by weaving through older defenders and showing off ball control well beyond what might be expected of a child his age.

CBS News also cited a league director who acknowledged Nevada's talent but told responding officers that the child had also been pushing other players.

The director claimed Nevada's parents became upset when officials attempted to enforce rules against pushing and substitute players to ensure everyone received playing time.

Nevada's mother, Martasia Griffin, disputed that account, telling police that she and her husband made it a point to stand far away from other parents to avoid confrontations.

"They're literally kicking him out of this place because he's good at soccer," Griffin told officers.

In an Oct. 26 statement, the Winter Park Police Department clarified that officers were called to the soccer field by a league official reporting a disturbance involving the child's parents, rather than the child's performance on the field.

Police said the league official requested that the family leave and offered to refund their registration fees. When officers arrived, the official asked them to speak with the family to avoid further confrontation.

The family then reportedly told officers the game had ended and they were already leaving.

Winter Park police emphasized that the family fully cooperated with officers and that the disagreement was a civil matter, not a criminal incident.

"No one was arrested, trespassed, or forced to leave the park," the department said, adding that officers' body-worn camera footage corroborated its account.

Click here to watch the two body camera videos made public by the Winter Park Police Department.

The league supposedly offered to refund the family's registration fees, while i9 Sports told media outlets it was reviewing the incident.

Latest Instance Of Youth Sports Drama

While the incident in Florida didn't result in criminal charges, it follows several recent youth sports controversies where disagreements between adults have overshadowed the children competing.

In September, three youth football coaches in the Pittsburgh area faced criminal charges after a fight erupted during a game involving children ages 8 and 9. Police said video showed coaches throwing punches as referees and others attempted to break up the confrontation.

Just last week, Patch reported when a Connecticut high school football coach abruptly resigned at halftime following inappropriate exchanges with his own players. Stamford High School coach Donny Panapada stepped down during an Oct. 23 game against Fairfield Warde, with school administrators later citing poor judgment.

Patch also reported in July that a youth girls' softball game in New Jersey ended with assault charges after a confrontation between coaches following a postgame handshake. Video from that incident reportedly showed adults shoving one another as young players and spectators watched.

Although the circumstances differ, the high drama underscores how quickly disagreements involving adults can overshadow youth sports.

For Nevada, however, the attention has also provided an unexpected opportunity for the budding star to showcase his abilities to a much larger audience.

The controversy has also attracted the attention of children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, while former U.S. men's national team player Eddie Johnson has reportedly offered to train Nevada at his Orlando-area soccer academy.

And despite the controversy surrounding his young soccer career, the 3-year-old standout's enthusiasm for the Beautiful Game seems unshaken.

"I love soccer!" Nevada told Orlando television station WESH.