A teenage boy was left needing hospital treatment after an alleged coward punch following the final whistle in a community soccer match in the Coalfields last week.
The alleged assault reportedly took place after the Interdistrict Community Football under-17s fixture between Valentine FC and Kurri Kurri JFC at Birralee Oval at Kurri Kurri last Wednesday night.
A witness who spoke to the Newcastle Herald on the condition of anonymity said the game had finished and the teams were shaking hands when a player from Kurri Kurri allegedly punched a Valentine player in the head, knocking him unconscious.
The boy was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment after the alleged assault.
"It was just obscene," the witness said.
"It's not what we want and it's not what we are teaching our boys. They should be told it is unacceptable.
"I've never seen anything like it. The whistle had blown - the game was over. The Valentine player had his hand extended to shake and [allegedly] copped a king hit in the face.
"We're trying to teach our boys to do the right thing and this is just not the right thing."
A NSW Police spokesman said officers from Hunter Valley Police District were investigating the alleged assault.
They were not called to the scene, but a report was later made to police.
In a statement to the Newcastle Herald, the joint board of directors of governing bodies Macquarie Football, Newcastle Football and Hunter Valley Football said the incident would be "dealt with according to Football Australia's National Disciplinary Regulations" but did not go into further detail.
"We do not condone any form of violence during or after matches at any level," the statement said.
"As this is a police matter, we will make no further comment."
Valentine FC declined to comment on the incident and Kurri Kurri JFC did not respond when contacted.
The Newcastle Herald understands the injured player was out of hospital and recovering at home on Monday.
