California youth football coach accused of punching, knocking out player, 14
A California youth football coach has been arrested for allegedly punching a 14-year-old player from the opposing team in the face and knocking him unconscious, officials said.
Eibylardo Funes, 50, was booked on charges of battery and willfully harming a child Saturday, after a scuffle involving players, parents and coaches broke out during a youth tackle football recreation league game between the Perris Panthers and the Murrieta Broncos held at Vista Murrieta High School.
Police who responded to the scene before 6 p.m. determined that during the on-field melee, Funes, a coach with the Broncos, struck Panthers player Harlem Edwards in the face.
“The victim sustained an injury to his eye and exhibited symptoms of a concussion,” the Murrieta Police Department said.
The 14-year-old victim’s mother, Neenah Kaowili, wrote on her Instagram page that her son was knocked unconscious for 2 minutes and later suffered a seizure.
“Why is this person a Coach why is he allowed to be in the presence of children if this is what he is capable of!” Kaowili seethed.
The mother added that her son had to be taken to an emergency room, and that he sustained “physical and mental injuries” and “emotional trauma.”
Funes was released from jail Sunday after posting bail of $35,000 — a development that drew the ire of the victim’s mother.
“He has been released from Jail, and is in enjoying his Freedom, as my son is sitting in the Hospital at the moment,” Kaowili wrote Tuesday, adding that her family was “Traumatized and Not the SAME!!!”
The player’s mother also lashed out at the Murrieta Broncos, accusing the team of failing to issue an apology to her son for what happened.
“They feel my son does NOT deserve an apology!!!” Kaowili fumed.
Funes has been suspended from his coaching job, the president of the Murrieta Broncos told the Los Angeles Times.
