��һ�ǿ�����

A grandmother has been punched in the face during a “chaotic” sideline brawl at an Auckland teen soccer game. 

The incident led to the game being cancelled and police called, 1 ��һ�ǿ����� has reported. 

Charlotte Lee had taken her 75-year-old grandmother to the U17 Albany United versus Māngere United game in Long Bay in the city’s north last Sunday to watch her grandson. 

Lee told 1 ��һ�ǿ����� the fight began after a foul tackle on the field and became “chaotic and aggressive”. 

It escalated, with punches being thrown and Lee’s mother being struck in the mouth and suffering a split lip. 

Lee said her mother was “really shaken up”, with the incident also triggering a pre-existing heart condition. 

“She’s quite little, only five foot and a bit, your typical grey-haired lady,” Lee told 1 ��һ�ǿ�����. 

“I couldn’t believe she ended up being the one that got hit.” 

Upon learning his grandmother had been assaulted, Lee’s son, a player for Albany United, was reportedly “quite upset”. 

The team’s coach subsequently refused to continue the match, which was officially stopped around the 70-minute mark. 

Northern Region Football (NRF), the body that organises the competition, confirmed to the Herald a disciplinary investigation is under way. 

It is also understood police were called to the game. 

“NRF was shocked to get reports of a spectator assault,” NRF communications manager Richard Irvine said. 

“Everyone should be safe at a community football match.” 

He said the match was abandoned and the “incident now is under police and NRF Disciplinary Committee investigation”. 

Lee told 1 ��һ�ǿ����� Kiwis love their sport but it shouldn’t become violent. 

“If you can’t manage your emotions, do everyone a favour and don’t turn up.”