Parents are astonished after a man kicked a young boy at a youth football match, sparking a large-scale brawl between adults captured in a sickening viral video. A scrap broke out between players in an under-10s match in Kent, with one boy being punched in the head by an opponent. That alarming move caused parents and coaches to stream onto the pitch, but from there the footage only gets more worrying. One man appears to rush on directly towards a boy and kicks him in the leg, before another bowls the child over from behind in an attempt to get at his assailant. From there, dozens of adults rush into the commotion and mothers can be heard screaming as children are shepherded out of the way. Multiple men continue scrapping for over a minute until some semblance of order appears to be restored. Mail Sport is unable to show the entire video. When contacted by Mail Sport, one club said: ‘This incident which dates back to November has since been fully investigated by the Kent FA, and their findings we fully accept as a football club.’ In a statement to Mail Sport, the Kent Football Association said: ‘We are aware of the video footage related to an incident that occurred during a youth football match last year in Kent. Following a thorough investigation, the relevant charges were raised, heard, and sanctions were imposed in line with Football Association regulations. ‘The Kent FA remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing behaviour in grassroots football. We will continue to support and guide our footballing community to ensure a positive, enjoyable, and safe environment for all participants.’ People commenting on the disturbing footage online have related how such scenes are becoming all too common in fixtures which are supposed to be an outlet of fun for children. ‘Unfortunately have seen worse,’ wrote one on X. ‘Embarrassing but not surprised. Why have the coaches and the referee not stopped this. Kids football where is the safe guarding. Happens all the time now parents at it with each other. The mums normally the worst,’ said another. ‘Some parents are vile at games, give the ref a chance to sort it, didn’t need to escalate like this,’ one said. ‘Imagine how scared the children must’ve been watching that. The lot of them are a disgrace,’ another commented. ‘Absolute disgrace from these parents,’ one wrote. ‘Don’t get this in rugby. Parents are the issue, not the sport. We all had disagreements on the field, but they were resolved quickly and shook each others’ hands afterwards. The professional game and the FA also have some responsibility in setting standards at this level,’ another said. While many kids across the nation enjoy the beautiful game without incident each weekend, it is common to hear horror stories from those affected by violence. In September, police were called to an under-10s Sunday League match in the West Midlands after parents started fighting in the stands. In 2023, Mail Sport heard from referees how one was threatened with a knife while another had his jaw broken in a stomach-churning sign of the rising aggression from adults at kids’ games. One referee, Rhys Baldwin, quit the game after 11 years in 2023. He told Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast: ‘I was refereeing a five-a-side game and Team A captain ran up to me screaming in my face and called me a bunch of names. So I gave him a red card. He went off the pitch, went into his bag, pulled out a Stanley box cutter knife and stormed on to the pitch towards me. ‘His own team-mates basically rugby-tackled him to the floor and pinned and pulled him outside the gate. I locked the gate and I said I’m not leaving until this guy is dealt with. ‘I spoke to the guy in charge and he asked me not to call the police and foolishly I agreed. He said I would get an apology next week. But I didn’t get an apology. He threatened to knock my head off. ‘I dropped the cards on the floor and walked off. I never went back.’ Baldwin finally gave up refereeing after the father of a 12-year-old boy threatened to kill him at end of a cup semi-final. He says he knows many others who have walked away from the sport as well.