Photo Contributed/Courtesy GCSO: Safford’s Michael William Goodwin, 47, has been jailed on charges of assault and disorderly conduct after he allegedly attacked a football referee after he fouled his son. was given.

AYSO’s first day was ruined by an incident

John Johnson

john johnson news@gmail.com

Graham County – The first day of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) was marred by ugliness on Saturday, August 20, when a parent ran onto the field and assaulted a referee.

Safford’s 47-year-old Michael William Goodwin was arrested and held in Graham County Adult Detention Center on charges of assault and disorderly conduct/fighting. Online court records show that the indictment was formally filed on August 23, and Goodwin received a notice of appearance filed on August 25.

Authorities were dispatched to E. Armory Rd. 527 at approximately 10:08 am. Two men have a fight on the Graham County Fairgrounds soccer field.

The incident occurred while the referee was performing his duties, according to the victim and several witnesses. The report states that Player A fouled Player B and the referee gave Player A his card yellow. But then Player A attacked Player B and the referee separated the boys, intending to give Player A a red his card. Player A’s father, Michael Goodwin, then yells at the umpire, “Don’t touch my (expletive removed) son.” Goodwin ran onto the field and gave the referee a swing. Goodwin then pushed the referee to the ground and got on top of him. Others then went to break up the assault.

While that was happening, Player A tried to retrieve the gun from his father’s car, but when he was unable to do so, he told an official that he was lucky he didn’t have a gun.

The young man later allegedly told his agent that he was going to get a gun to protect his father. He was placed on juvenile probation on a threatening charge and then released to his mother at the scene.

Goodwin allegedly told the assistant referee that he was just protecting his son from the referee. He was then put in jail and booked for assault and disorderly conduct.

Two AYSO board members were on hand to witness the event, one of whom had video of the game provided to the authorities. An AYSO board employee was also there and asked about both Goodwin and his son being trespassed off the soccer field.