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A man who punched his son in the face after the boy's rugby team lost at the weekend could face charges.
The incident happened at the end of an under-15 rugby match between Otahuhu and Eden at Otahuhu on Saturday.
A woman, whose nephew was playing for the
Eden under-15 side which won 14-7, told the Herald the man went on to the field and punched his son in the face twice as the boys were lining up to shake hands.
The man had to be restrained by other parents at the game.
"I hate to think of what happened to that boy when he got home," the woman said in a letter to the Herald.
Eden coach Brett Copeland said the matter had been referred to Auckland Rugby's judiciary.
"It's pretty disappointing to see this at a rugby game, let alone anywhere else," he said.
"It is not a typical thing that happens at rugby games and we have to be sure that it doesn't happen again."
Otahuhu Rugby Football Club vice-president Savelio Fono confirmed the club was investigating an incident involving the under-15 team.
He said the club had been in talks with the team's coach and the Auckland Rugby Union. The club was still trying to contact the man concerned, said Mr Fono.
Auckland Rugby Union club manager Mike Elliott said the matter had been referred to the disciplinary committee but the case would not be heard until next week.
He said the matter was "very unusual" and possibly out of the union's jurisdiction because it involved a parent and child outside the game.
"We are not ignoring our obligations but this really is not a rugby matter and should be a case which should be referred to the police," said Mr Elliott.
Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro said the incident was "disgraceful" and hoped police would prosecute the man.
* Three players involved in a brawl during a rugby match between Papatoetoe High School and Sacred Heart College on Saturday have been suspended.
The Auckland Rugby Union's disciplinary committee also censured the two teams and slapped a good behaviour bond of $500 on them, payable if they step out of line again this season.
Two props, one from each side, were suspended for two weeks.
A Sacred Heart player who ran on to the field to join in the ruckus was suspended for five weeks.
