Miramar Regional Park at 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, Florida.

Today my son's soccer team the Patriots played against Team # 4 in Miramar PAL outdoor soccer. Observing the entire game, I saw adults and especially coaches act in a ridiculous manner calling the kid referees names, disagreeing with the calls with unsportsmanlike conduct. Specifically, Team # 4's coach Nico from the very beginning was yelling at his team (kids!) threatening to make them do push ups if they don't start playing, belittling them for not playing well, kicking water bottles on the side lines and acting a fool. He was also yelling at the ref for calls that he thought should've been called.

I'm all for competitive sports, strength conditioning kids to play, learning the various aspects of a sport but above all else they should be learning what good conduct and sportsmanship looks like. It starts with the league and the coach. Having lived all over the country with my kids playing in various athletic leagues, I have NEVER witnessed such unsportsmanlike conduct and a league that is unwilling to conduct themselves in a manner that is safe and respectful while teaching kids how to behave when playing sports. Coach Nico was out of control!

During the beginning of the second half, Nico and our coach became very heated and Nico made his way over to our coaches team in front of the kids on the bench. Nico looked like he was going to start a fight. Ann, the league director was apparently standing there the entire time according to her and she did NOT do anything. Nico should've been ejected from the game at that very instant and the game called. Then a kid from Team # 4 was injured and Nico went crazy yelling at the ref for not calling a foul because in his opinion it was a sliding tackle. At this point, the game stopped and multiple parents crossed over the field ready to stop a physical altercation that was about to occur due to Nico acting aggressively. It's just a game.

At this point, I had seen enough and went to pull my son from the game to leave. I tried to address my concerns with Ann who did nothing and took up for Nico's behavior. I'm not saying either coach was in the right but clearly Nico was the aggressor during the entire game and all Ann could tell me was that our coach was making noises. Another team's coach who I know very well was about to play his game on the same field with his team and told me that the same issues happened last week with Nico who had called females derogatory names such as B**ch and Ann did nothing. He said Ann knows Nico's parents and the issue was not addressed. I was also informed that the Mayor and other league officials have been notified in the past and this behavior is continued to be permitted.

When talking with Ann, she told me that if the other team's parents were ok with the way Nico was acting, then that it was ok and see doesn't see any issue with Nico kicking water bottles in a childish manner and calling people derogatory names. She said he can do that. It's NOT up to the parents to regulate the league, it is the board of directors and she has FAILED. This is not a league where scholarships are in jeopardy or a high stakes game where money is on the line. This is not the way for anyone to behave or be allowed to act in such a manner. It is supposed to be a league where kids can develop their athletic skills sets, learn about good sportsmanship and above all else, have FUN!

I will NOT allow my kids to play on the team anymore nor will they ever play on this league again. I will also make sure others I know are aware of this incident and my experience with a poorly regulated league so, their kid's safety isn't in jeopardy while they play a game while subjected to coaches and sideline adults that cannot control themselves. Both teams were playing well and it doesn't have to come to this.

The Miramar Police Athletic League should be ashamed of themselves for letting a situation like this get out of hand, not following a ZERO TOLERANCE policy concerning improper conduct and for not teaching kids about good sportsmanship.